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Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

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

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.

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.

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.

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 - 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 13th 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.

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

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 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

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

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

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

Papworth St Agnes

Rampton

Rampton Conservation Area was designated on 27 October 2005

Sawston

Sawston Conservation Area was designated on 26 March 1974 and amended on 11 November 1993 and 12 September 2007

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

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

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. 

Design, heritage and environment

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