Conservation areas

A conservation area is an area considered to be of: "special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" (Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). Designation of a conservation area gives it broader protection than the listing of individual buildings and provides tighter planning controls to manage and protect the features that make it unique.

What is a Conservation Area Appraisal?

Conservation Area Appraisals give an overview of each conservation area, and define what is special about them. They also identify the specific features that contribute to their character, such as significant buildings, historic features or important open spaces and views. The appraisals may result in the conservation area boundaries being revised.

What is a Conservation Area Management Plan?

The associated Conservation Area Management Plans identify the measures that may be needed to maintain or improve the character of the conservation areas in the longer term. This work will assist Basildon Council in the preparation of the planning policies to ensure the continued protection and enhancement of these special areas.

Billericay High Street

This is the largest conservation area in the Borough that encompasses Billericay High Street and its surrounding area.

There are a number of listed buildings in the conservation area as well as a number of protected trees and listed telephone boxes.  New developments have been permitted recently that complement and enhance the conservation area including the new Waitrose store, which was completed in 1999.

Designation: Billericay Conservation Area (Amended Designation 2013 (opens new window)

Management Plan: EV125 Basildon Council - Billericay Conservation Area Management Plan Nov 2011 (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)

Character Appraisal: EV124 Basildon Council - Billericay Conservation Area Character Appraisal Nov 2011 (PDF, 9 MB)(opens new window)

 

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Little Burstead

A small village on the outskirts of Billericay that includes a number of listed buildings and listed street furniture.

Designation: Little Burstead Conservation Area (Designated 1983) (opens new window)

Management Plan: EV129 Basildon Council - Little Burstead Conservation Area Management Plan Nov 2011 (PDF, 664 KB)(opens new window)

Character Appraisal: EV128 Basildon Council - Little Burstead Conservation Area Character Appraisal Nov 2011 (PDF, 5 MB)(opens new window)

 

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Great Burstead

The small conservation area in Great Burstead seeks to conserve a small cluster of weather-boarded buildings and cottages that gather around the Grade I listed church of St Mary Magdalene;

Designation: Great Burstead Conservation Area (Amended Designation 2013) (opens new window)

Management Plan: EV127 Basildon Council - Great Burstead Conservation Areas Management Plan Nov 2011 (PDF, 770 KB)(opens new window)

Character Appraisal: EV126 Basildon Council - Great Burstead Conservation Areas Character Appraisal Nov 2011 (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)

 

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Noak Bridge

Noak Bridge was awarded conservation area status by the council's Environment Committee on the 24th January 1996.  At the same meeting the Environment Committee also decided that part of that conservation area should also be made the subject of a Direction under Article 4 (2) of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.  Noak Bridge includes the youngest collection of buildings in a conservation area in the District. 

Noak Bridge was one of the final phases of Basildon New Town to be built during the 1980's.

It's street layout and buildings were designed by the Basildon Development Corporation in the spirit of The Essex Design Guide, which sought to guide developers to build new buildings using the Essex vernacular style that is prevalent in many Essex villages.      

Designation: Noak Bridge Conservation Area (Designated 1996) (opens new window)

Management Plan & Character Appraisal : EV130 Noak Bridge Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan - December 2012 (PDF, 6 MB)(opens new window)