What is a Conservation Area?
The statutory definition of a Conservation Area is, "an area of special architectural and historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". (The Planning Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990).
The Local Planning Authority has a duty to assess those areas which are considered to fall within the above definition and to designate them as Conservation Areas. There are no standard criteria upon which an area is designated. "They may form groups of buildings, open spaces, trees, historic street patterns, village greens or features of historic or archeological interest. It is the character of areas rather than individual buildings, that Conservation Areas seek to enhance". (Planning Policy Guidance Note 15, Planning and Historic Environment, 1990).
Once a Conservation Area has been designated the Local Planning Authority has a further obligation to ensure that the character of that area is preserved or enhanced. This is achieved through the careful control of development and through the formulation of a scheme for the enhancement of the area. The production of such a scheme is a legal requirement of the Local Authority and has to be made available for public comment. There are seventeen Conservation Areas within the Borough:
| Number | Conservation Area Title | Designation Dates |
| 1. | Camperdown | 2 December 1969 (extended 2 October 1979 and 10 October 2003 |
| 2. | Market Place, Rows and North Quay | 25 July 1975 (extended 10 October 2003) |
| 3. | Hall Quay / South Quay | 25 July 1975 (extended 10 October 2003) |
| 4. | King Street | 25 July 1975 (extended 27 January 1998 and 10 October 2003) |
| 5. | St Nicholas / Northgate Street | 25 July 1975 (extended 10 October 2003) |
| 6. | Gorleston Town Centre | 28 June 1977 |
| 7. | Hemsby | 3 May 1977 |
| 8. | Martham | 23 February 1979 |
| 9. | Winterton | 23 February 1979 |
| 10. | Prince's Road | 2 October 1979 |
| 11. | Ormesby St Margaret | 27 May 1983 |
| 12. | Cliff Hill | 15 March 1985 |
| 13. | East and West Somerton | 6 January 1987 |
| 14. | Rollesby | 3 October 1989 |
| 15. | St Georges | 10 October 2003 |
| 16. | Seafront | 10 October 2003 |
| 17. | Halvergate Marshes | 12 May 1995 |
For further information, please contact the Conservation Section on 01493 846195 or e-mail darren@great-yarmouth.gov.uk:
Alternatively you can contact us online using the Contact Form below: