Conservation Area Appraisals
Conservation Area Appraisals
Conservation Areas are designated through a formal process and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires the Local Planning Authority to review these from time to time to ensure that the boundary is appropriate, and the text of the document is up to date.
Conservation Area Appraisals describe the character and significance of Conservation Areas and give recommendations for their conservation and enhancement. Where there is no existing Appraisal for a Conservation Area, the Conservation Area Appraisal will capture and record the character of the area. The Conservation Area Appraisals are periodically reviewed and updated, and we consult informally on any changes.
Cambridge City Council has 17 Conservation Areas all of which have appraisals. The Cambridge City Conservation Areas list shows the 17 Conservation Areas with accompanying Conservation Area Appraisals.
South Cambridgeshire District Council has 85 Conservation Areas, 22 of which have appraisals. The South Cambridgeshire Conservation Areas list shows the 22 Conservation Areas with accompanying Conservation Area Appraisals.
Cambridge City Conservation Areas
Cambridge City Council has 17 Conservation Areas, all of which have Conservation Area Appraisals, listed below.
- Barrow Road conservation area
- Brooklands conservation area
- Castle and Victoria Road conservation area
- Central conservation area
- Chesterton conservation area
- Conduit Head Road conservation area
- De Freville conservation area
- Ferry Lane conservation area
- The Kite conservation area
- Mill Road conservation area
- New Town and Glisson Road conservation area
- Newnham Croft conservation area
- Riverside and Stourbridge Common conservation area
- Southacre conservation area
- Storey’s Way conservation area
- Trumpington conservation area
- West Cambridge conservation area
Barrow Road conservation area
Barrow Road is off Trumpington Road and is the newest conservation area in Cambridge. Designated on the 28 June 2016, the conservation area boundary encompasses 1 to 47 Barrow Road and 1 and 2 Barrow Close.
Brooklands conservation area
Brooklands conservation area lies south of the botanic garden. Clarendon Road, Fitzwilliam Road, Shaftesbury Road and Brooklands Avenue form part of the boundary. The area also includes Brooklands House and Empty Common to the west. The conservation area was designated in May 2002. It was extended in June 2013 to include the Accordia estate. An article 4 direction covers Accordia. This allows the withdrawal of specified permitted development rights. The Accordia residents have produced a design guide.
- Brooklands Avenue conservation area appraisal
- Brooklands conservation area map
- Accordia design guide
Castle and Victoria Road conservation area
Originally designated as part of the Central conservation area in 1969 and extended in 1976 and 2012. The area was allocated as a separate conservation area in November 2018.
Central conservation area
The Central conservation area covers the historic core of the city, plus some of the important open spaces such as the college backs and Jesus Green.
The Central Conservation Area was designated on 25 February 1969 with many extensions over the following decades. Until 21 November 2018 it was the largest conservation area in Cambridge. On that date it was split into separate conservation areas, following the boundaries of the written appraisal areas and the previous extensions. The new conservation areas are Castle and Victoria Road, The Kite, Mill Road, New Town and Glisson Road, and Riverside and Stourbridge Common.
The Central conservation area appraisal is differently organised from the other appraisals. It has a breakdown of the individual streets in the historic core and their significance.
Chesterton conservation area
Chesterton conservation area covers the old part of Chesterton village around Chapel Lane, Church Street (including the recreation ground) and High Street.
The conservation area was designated on 25 February 1969, extended on 23 June 2009 and reviewed in 2022.
Conduit Head Road conservation area
Conduit Head Road conservation area includes the distinctive 1930s buildings in their attractive gardens which stand along Conduit Head Road, and some buildings along Madingley Road. The conservation area was designated on 17 December 1984 and extended on 6 October 2009.
De Freville conservation area
De Freville conservation area abuts the Central conservation area north of the river Cam. It is based on the original De Freville Estate which was laid out in 1890, and includes older streets to the east up to and including part of Victoria Avenue.
The conservation area was designated on the 3 March 2009 and that appraisal was reviewed in 2017. A revised version was finalised in 2020.
Ferry Lane conservation area
Ferry Lane conservation area (previously called Water Street conservation area) is the smallest of the city's conservation areas. It includes the south west end of Water Street, and stretches south to the river. The Ferry Lane conservation area was designated on 25 February 1969, extended on 23 June 2009 and reviewed in 2022.
The Kite conservation area
Originally designated as part of the Central conservation area in 1969 and extended in 1993 and 1997. The appraisal was reviewed in 2014. The area was allocated as a separate conservation area in November 2018.
Mill Road conservation area
Originally designated as part of the Central conservation area in 1969 and extended in 1993 and 2011. The area was allocated as a separate conservation area in 21 November 2018.
New Town and Glisson Road conservation area
Originally designated as part of the Central conservation area in 1969 and extended in 1975, 1980, 1991 and 2012. The area was allocated as a separate conservation area in November 2018.
- New Town and Glisson Road conservation area appraisal
- New Town and Glisson Road conservation area map
Newnham Croft conservation area
Newnham Croft conservation area covers the streets south of Barton Road and east of Millington Road. The open space bordering the residential areas is also included.
The conservation area was designated on 8 June 1998. The appraisal was reviewed in 2012 and a revised version was approved in 2013.
Riverside and Stourbridge Common conservation area
Originally designated as part of the Central conservation area in 1969 and extended in 1993 and 2012. The area was allocated as a separate conservation area in November 2018.
- Riverside and Stourbridge Common conservation area appraisal
- Riverside and Stourbridge Common conservation area map
Southacre conservation area
Southacre conservation area principally covers the large houses and gardens along Chaucer Road and Latham Road. It is bordered by the river Cam to the west and Trumpington Road to the east. The conservation area was designated in February 2000. The appraisal was reviewed in 2012 and a revised version was approved in 2013.
Storey’s Way conservation area
Storey’s Way conservation area covers the turn-of the-century houses on the south side of Storey’s Way and the Trinity Hall sports ground. The area was designated a conservation area on 17 December 1984. An appraisal was published, with an extended boundary, on 8 April 2008. The conservation area was reviewed again in 2017 and the appraisal updated to reflect the changes that have occurred in the area. The updated document was approved for publication in 2018.
Trumpington conservation area
Trumpington conservation area includes the historic part of the village around the church and Anstey Hall, and includes the north end of the High Street, Church Lane, Maris Lane and part of Grantchester Road. The Trumpington conservation area was designated on 25 February 1969 and extended on 2 July 1998. It has subsequently been extended on the 5 October 2010.
West Cambridge conservation area
West Cambridge conservation area lies to the west of the central conservation area.
It includes the large houses and colleges from Lady Margaret Road in the north, to Millington Road in the south. The boundary stretches as far west as the Emmanuel Sports Ground on Wilberforce Road. The conservation area was designated on 3 May 1972 and was extended on 17 December 1984. It has recently been extended again on 15 March 2011 with another addition on 9 May 2011. The last extension was to include Wolfson College, Barton Close and adjacent properties in Barton Road.
South Cambridgeshire Conservation Areas
South Cambridgeshire District Council has 85 Conservation Areas, 22 of which have Conservation Area Appraisals, listed below.
If your property is not in a Conservation Area on this list, you can check if your property is in a Conservation Area by using the South Cambridgeshire planning search map.
- Abington Pigotts - High Street
- Abington Pigotts - St Michael's
- Babraham
- Baits Bite Lock
- Balsham - Village Centre
- Balsham - West End
- Barrington
- Bartlow
- Barton - St Peter's
- Barton - Wimpole Rd
- Bassingbourn
- Bourn - Caxton End
- Bourn - Village & Hall
- Caldecote
- Castle Camps
- Caxton
- Comberton - St Mary's
- Comberton - Village
- Coton
- Cottenham
- Croxton
- Duxford
- Duxford Airfield
- Elsworth
- Eltisley
- Fen Ditton
- Fen Drayton
- Fowlmere
- Foxton
- Fulbourn
- Fulbourn Hospital
- Gamlingay
- Grantchester
- Great and Little Abington
- Great Chishill
- Great Shelford
- Great Wilbraham
- Guilden Morden
- Hardwick
- Harlton
- Haslingfield
- Hauxton
- Heydon
- Hildersham
- Hinxton
- Histon & Impington - Histon Village
- Histon & Impington - Impington St Andrew's
- Horningsea
- Ickleton
- Kingston
- Knapwell
- Landbeach
- Linton
- Litlington
- Little Gransden
- Little Shelford
- Little Wilbraham
- Longstanton
- Madingley
- Melbourn
- Meldreth
- Milton
- Oakington
- Orwell
- Over
- Pampisford
- Papworth Everard
- Papworth St Agnes
- Rampton
- Sawston
- Shepreth
- Stapleford
- Steeple Morden - Morden Green
- Steeple Morden - St Peter & St Paul
- Swavesey
- Teversham
- Thriplow
- Toft
- Waterbeach
- West Wickham - Streetly End
- West Wickham - St Mary's
- West Wratting
- Westwick
- Whittlesford
- Willingham
Abington Pigotts - High Street
Abington Pigotts - High Street Conservation Area was designated on 9 July 1973.
Abington Pigotts - St Michael's
Abington Pigotts - St Michael's Conservation Area was designated on 9 July 1973.
Babraham
Babraham Conservation Area was designated on 3 October 1979.
Baits Bite Lock
The Baits Bite Lock Conservation Area was designated 8 November 1990.
Balsham - Village Centre
Balsham - Village Centre Conservation Area was designated on 18 May 1995.
Balsham - West End
Balsham - West End Conservation Area was designated on 18 May 1995.
Barrington
Barrington Conservation Area was designated on 9 July 1973 and amended on 13 January 2022.
Bartlow
Bartlow Conservation Area was designated on 19 July 1978.
Barton - St Peter's
Barton - St Peter's Conservation Area was designated on 19 July 1978.
Barton - Wimpole Rd
Barton - Wimpole Rd Conservation Area was designated on 12 November 1987.
Bassingbourn
Bassingbourn Conservation Area was designated on 21 September 1973 and amended on 7 January 1993.
Bourn - Caxton End
Bourn - Caxton End Conservation Area was designated on 4 December 1974 and amended on 8 May 1997.
Bourn - Village & Hall
Bourn - Village & Hall Conservation Area was designated on 8 May 1997.
Caldecote
Caldecote Conservation Area was designated on 19 May 1988.
Castle Camps
Castle Camps Conservation Area was designated on 27 February 1992.
Caxton
Caxton Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Comberton - St Mary's
Comberton - St Mary's Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973.
Comberton - Village
Comberton - Village Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973.
Coton
Coton Conservation Area was designated on 22 February 1978 and amended on 10 November 1988.
Cottenham
Cottenham Conservation Area was designated on 18 February 1972 and amended on 9 November 1989.
Croxton
Croxton Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Duxford
Duxford Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and amended on 7 July 1988.
Duxford Airfield
Duxford Airfield Conservation Area was designated on 4 June 2007.
- Duxford Airfield Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 - without maps
- Duxford Airfield Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 - general maps - (draft)
- Duxford Airfield Conservation Area boundary map
Elsworth
Elsworth Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 1975.
Eltisley
Eltisley Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 1975.
Fen Ditton
The Fen Ditton Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and extended on
24 September 1991.
Fen Drayton
Fen Drayton Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Fowlmere
Fowlmere Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and amended on 26 September 1991.
Foxton
The Foxton Conservation Area was designated in 1972 and extended in 2018.
Fulbourn
Fulbourn Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 1975 and amended on 7 April 1992, 16 January 2008 and 15 September 2021.
Fulbourn Hospital
Fulbourn Hospital Conservation Area was designated on 7 April 1992 and amended on 15 September 2021.
- Fulbourn Hospital Conservation Area Appraisal 2021
- Fulbourn Hospital Conservation Area Appraisal map 2021
Gamlingay
Gamlingay Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and amended on 7 July 1994.
Grantchester
Grantchester Conservation Area was designated on 15 January 1975.
Great and Little Abington
Great and Little Abington Conservation Area was designated on 21 January 1972 and amended on 11 November 1993.
Great Chishill
Great Chishill Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Great Shelford
Great Shelford Conservation Area was designated on 31 March 1976 and amended on 12 September 2007.
- Great Shelford Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 pages 1 to 20
- Great Shelford Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 pages 20 to 35
- Great Shelford Conservation Area boundary map
Great Wilbraham
Great Wilbraham Conservation Area was designated on 15 January 1975.
Guilden Morden
Guilden Morden Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Hardwick
Hardwick Conservation Area was designated on 25 February 1988.
Harlton
Harlton Conservation Area was designated on 23 February 1989.
Haslingfield
Haslingfield Conservation Area was designated on 15 January 1975.
Hauxton
Hauxton Conservation Area was designated on 17 January 1988.
Heydon
Heydon Conservation Area was designated on 3 October 1979.
Hildersham
Hildersham Conservation Area was designated on 21 January 1972.
Hinxton
Hinxton Conservation Area was designated on 31 March 1976 and amended on 9 April 1987.
Histon & Impington - Histon Village
Histon & Impington - Histon Village Conservation Area was designated on 4 December 1974 and amended on 1 March 1991 and 12 November 1998.
Histon & Impington - Impington St Andrew's
Histon & Impington - Impington St Andrew's Conservation Area was designated on 14 April 1988.
Horningsea
Horningsea Conservation Area was designated on 17 May 1990.
Ickleton
Ickleton Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Kingston
Kingston Conservation Area was designated on 4 December 1974.
Knapwell
Knapwell Conservation Area was designated on 18 May 1989.
Landbeach
Landbeach Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and amended on 4 April 1983.
Linton
Linton Conservation Area was designated on 21 January 1972 and amended on 23 August 2022.
Litlington
Litlington Conservation Area was designated on 12 July 1974.
Little Gransden
Little Gransden Conservation Area was designated on 25 January 2006.
Little Shelford
Little Shelford Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 1975.
Little Wilbraham
Little Wilbraham Conservation Area was designated on 10 April 1986.
Longstanton
Longstanton Conservation Area was designated on 11 December 1987 and amended on 22 September 2005.
- Longstanton Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 1
- Longstanton Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 2a (maps showing boundaries)
- Longstanton Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 2b(Planning Policies and a map showing boundaries)
- Longstanton Conservation Area boundary map
Madingley
Madingley Conservation Area was designated on 8 September 1976.
Melbourn
Melbourn Conservation Area was designated on 21 September 1973 and amended on 15 September 2021.
Meldreth
Meldreth Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975.
Milton
Milton Conservation Area was designated on 5 November 1981.
Oakington
Oakington Conservation Area was designated on 28 September 1989 and amended on 22 September 2005.
- Oakington Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 1
- Oakington Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 2(Planning Policies and a map showing boundaries)
- Oakington Conservation Area boundary map
Orwell
Orwell Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973.
Over
Over Conservation Area was designated on 18 February 1972 and amended on 5 November 1981.
Pampisford
Pampisford Conservation Area was designated on 15 January 1975.
Papworth Everard
Papworth Everard Conservation Area was designated on 7 January 1993 and amended on 8 July 2011 and 23 August 2022.
Papworth St Agnes
Rampton
Rampton Conservation Area was designated on 27 October 2005.
- Rampton Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 1
- Rampton Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 2 (Planning Policies and a map showing boundaries)
- Rampton Conservation Area boundary map
Sawston
Sawston Conservation Area was designated on 26 March 1974 and amended on 11 November 1993 and 12 September 2007.
- Sawston Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 Part 1
- Sawston Conservation Area Appraisal 2007 Part 2
- Sawston Conservation Area boundary map
Shepreth
Shepreth Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 1975.
Stapleford
Stapleford Conservation Area was designated on 28 September 1989 and amended on 15 September 2021.
Steeple Morden - Morden Green
Steeple Morden - Morden Green Conservation Area was designated on 25 February 1993.
Steeple Morden - St Peter & St Paul
Steeple Morden - St Peter & St Paul Conservation Area was designated on 25 February 1993.
Swavesey
Swavesey Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975 and amended on 7 April 1992 and 26 April 2006.
- Swavesey Conservation Area Appraisal 2006 Part 1
- Swavesey Conservation Area Appraisal 2006 Part 2
- Swavesey Conservation Area Appraisal 2006 map
- Swavesey Conservation Area boundary map
Teversham
Teversham Conservation Area was designated on 8 January 1998 and amended on 26 April 2006.
Thriplow
Thriplow Conservation Area was designated on 10 September 1975 and amended on 7 April 1992.
Toft
Toft Conservation Area was designated on 5 January 1989.
Waterbeach
Waterbeach Conservation Area was designated on 2 March 1973 and amended on 4 April 1983.
West Wickham - Streetly End
West Wickham - Streetly End Conservation Area was designated on 25 September 1986.
West Wickham - St Mary's
West Wickham - St Mary's Conservation Area was designated on 28 May 1995.
West Wratting
West Wratting Conservation Area was designated on 31 March 1976.
Westwick
Westwick Conservation Area was designated on 1 March 1990 and amended on 22 September 2005.
- Westwick Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 1
- Westwick Conservation Area Appraisal 2005 Part 2 (Planning Policies and a map showing boundaries)
- Westwick Conservation Area boundary map
Whittlesford
Whittlesford Conservation Area was designated on 21 January 1972 and amended on 11 November 1993.
Willingham
Willingham Conservation Area was designated on 12 July 1974.
Conservation Area Appraisal consultations
Conservation Area Appraisals are reviewed periodically, with Draft Conservation Area Appraisals made available on our Conservation Area Appraisal Consultations webpage. Please visit this page to find out about current consultations.
We encourage the public to view the documentation and respond to our Draft Conservation Area Appraisal consultations so that views are taken into account before Conservation Areas boundaries and Management Plans are amended.