Conservation areas

The designation of a conservation area imposes a duty upon the council to protect and enhance it.

On this page, you can find out more about individual conservation areas in the New Forest. This includes links to guidance if you are planning works in a conservation area.

Conservation areas in the New Forest

There are 22 conservation areas in the New Forest district. They range from a farmstead to areas of more than a square mile. Our conservation areas include historic town centres such as Lymington and Ringwood, and whole villages in the Avon Valley and Downland areas.

The principal consideration in identifying a conservation area is its quality and interest, rather than individual buildings.

We have published a number of Conservation area appraisals to inform and manage change and development in these areas.

We have also published character statements for each conservation area. This provides a 'starting point' for understanding the places that they describe.

Planning guidance for work in a conservation area

If you are planning on carrying out any work in a conservation area, you will need to apply for permission by submitting a planning application. There are specific planning controls in conservation areas, as well as for demolition or substantial demolition of an unlisted building.

For works to trees in a conservation area, you must give us six weeks' notice. During this time, we may decide to serve a Tree Preservation Order.

In addition, permitted development rights on dwelling houses are restricted. The rights can be restricted further by the introduction of an Article 4 Direction.