Conservation Areas

A Conservation Area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ (Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act, 1990).

Since the designation of the first Conservation Area in 1970, Bristol City Council has undertaken a comprehensive programme of designation, extension and policy development.  There are now 33 Conservation Areas in Bristol, covering approximately 30% of the city.

To find out if a specific property is within a Conservation Area, use the Pinpoint Interactive Map

The City Council has a duty to take into account the desirability of preserving or enhancing the characer or appearance of a Conservation Area, particularly when determining applications for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent.  Work on the production of a Character Appraisal for each Conservation Area is currently underway.

Conservation Area Consent must be obtained from the Council for the demolition of any building or structure in a Conservation Area.  Six weeks’ notice must be given to the Council before works are carried out to any tree in a conservation area. 

Advice on obtaining Conservation Area Consent can given by the relevant Area Planning Team or contact customerservices.ptsd@bristol.gov.uk