Walsall Council Banner

Conservation areas

What is a Conservation Area?

A Conservation Area is "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance", as defined by the 'Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Within the borough, Conservation Areas are brought in to being (designated) by Walsall Council.

Where are these Conservation Areas and how many of them are there?

The Conservation Areas are scattered throughout the borough. Scroll down to see a list of the Conservation Areas, or use one of the links on the left. There are 18 Conservation Areas within the borough at the moment, and the Council is always interested in the possibility of identifying other locations that merit Conservation Area status, and in revising the coverage of the Conservation Areas that already exist.

How do they affect me?

Land and buildings within Conservation Areas are affected in three main ways:

  • The council's permission (Conservation Area Consent) is needed for any demolition of a building
  • Anyone who wishes to fell or do other work to a tree must give the council six weeks notice of their intention
  • The council uses its powers under Planning Legislation, with the intention of ensuring that alterations and new buildings preserve or enhance the Conservation Area's character.

What is an Article 4(2) Direction?

An Article 4 Direction gives planning authorities greater power to control some development where there are special reasons for doing so. This means that planning permission has to be obtained for a greater number of alterations to existing buildings, other new buildings, and some works to land. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any application that you may have within an Article 4(2) Direction, or would like some advice from us.

How will it affect you and your property?

Planning permission needs to be sought before carrying out certain works (see the lists and links below). This is in addition to the things for which you already need to obtain planning permission, listed building and Conservation Area Consent.

How will it benefit?

An area in which physical change is carefully designed to respect architectural and historic interest is an attractive place in which to work. Moreover, a good quality environment can mean better-that-average property values.

List of current conservation areas

Conservation areaAreaDesignation date
Aldridge36.92ha25 March 1980
Arboretum (Walsall)30.77ha19 April 1989
Bloxwich High Street3.4ha18 October 2002
Bloxwich Park9.24ha13 December 1989
Bradford Street6.05 ha17 April 1991
Bridge Street7.2 ha13 July 1983
Caldmore Green1.5 ha18 March 1987
Church Hill20.61 ha9 March 1979
Darlaston6.8 ha7 February 1977
Elmore Green (Bloxwich)7.8 ha19 April 1990
Great Barr772 ha12 January 1996
Highgate10.10 ha12 October 1994
Lichfield Street10.69 ha6 July 1988
Old Pelsall4 ha20 August 1986
Old Rushall7.07 ha26 October 1983
Pelsall Common51.35 ha2 March 1979
Walsall Locks5.5 ha18 March 1987
Willenhall7.7 ha28 January 1977

Contact us

Environmental Regeneration
2nd Floor
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
West Midlands
WS1 1DG

Telephone 01922 652449
Email envregen@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 06 June 2008