New Conservation Areas planned for Tower Hamlets

Published by Jon Land for Tower Hamlets Council in Local Government

Tower Hamlets Council has suggested designating seven areas in the borough as new conservation areas this month (May 2008) after doing the first major review of the build environment since 1998.

A conservation area is defined as an area of special architectural or historic importance, the appearance which is desirable to preserve or enhance.

Deciding which areas are of ‘special interest’ and warrant designation is at the council’s discretion but new guidelines for selecting areas was adopted by the council’s Cabinet May 7.

A number of areas across the borough which the council thinks deserve protection but are not currently designated were identified following a thorough review of the borough’s built fabric during the preparation of Conservation Area Character Appraisals. 

The new conservation areas proposed are: Fish Island’s fine Victorian warehouses, Brickfield Gardens, Hackney Road, Wiltons Music Hall and its surrounds, Old Bethnal Green Road, Redchurch Street and Regents Canal.

The council has also proposed 18 extensions or alterations to the boundaries of some of the boroughs 50 existing conservation areas.  Character Appraisals – which describe the areas history and suggest potential enhancements which may be permitted - are available for all 50 conservation areas on the council’s website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk.  

Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Lead Member for Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships, Tower Hamlets Council welcomed the report on potential new conservation areas. 

He said: “Tower Hamlets has evolved over a long period of time and now has a rich historic past characterised by the overlaying of successive periods of development. This tapestry has resulted in many interesting areas in the borough which must be protected.”

Mark Hutton, the councils Conservation Manager explained: “Designating a conservation area means the council has more control over the demolition of unlisted buildings, trees are protected, and there are stringent controls on advertisements.

"It also provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of appearance that define the area’s special interest. However Conservation Areas are not about preserving areas in aspic, but rather more about making sure any changes to the areas are appropriate”

Public consultation will take place to ensure the local community support the proposed changes to existing boundaries and new Conservation Area designations.  The results and final proposals will be presented to the Cabinet later in the year.