by John Green
At the AGM on 17 October, we reported on a meeting of the directors of the Company with Jon Willetts, the Historic Environment Officer at Southampton City Council. Jon is asked for advice whenever an application for planning permission has been submitted for a property within the conservation area. The directors noted that he shared our commitment to maintain the architectural character of the Estate, except that his interest lies mainly in the view of the Estate seen from the front of properties, whereas we have to take into account all aspects.
We often refer to the fact that we live in a conservation area, but residents may not be aware of the significance of this. The first conservation area was Stamford, designated in 1967 under the Civic Amenities Act 1967, and there are now nearly 10,000 in England. An area has to be identified by the local authority as having a definite architectural quality, or historic interest. Our conservation area is also subject to an Article 4 Direction which removes some of the general permitted development rights.
There are 20 conservation areas in Southampton, but not all are subject to an Article 4 Direction. Those that are, are: Ethelburt Avenue, Uplands Estate, Portswood Residents’ Gardens, and Oakmount Triangle. Three of the areas: The Avenue, Carlton Crescent, and Cranbury Place, have some buildings or streets in them with a specific Article 4 Direction, but all other conservation areas are without this additional protection.
You will be pleased to know that Jon Willetts, who regularly visits all the conservation areas, says that our estate is one of the best kept in the city.