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Conservation areas listed buildings and trees conservation

Conservation areas

A conservation area is an “area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

This set out in Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Once designated, a conservation area needs everyone’s help to protect its character and keep it special.

The council will protect and enhance it as far as possible by:

  • Controlling development
  • Encouraging the care of its own buildings

To achieve this it also needs the support of property owners, residents and local businesses. 

There are 7 conservation areas within Blackpool

These conservation areas place restrictions on things such as:

  • Demolition
  • Alterations and extensions
  • New development
  • Painting and maintenance
  • Advertisements

Advice and guidance on how to carry out work in Conservation Area is contained on our conservation area guidance page 

Areas of special local character

Areas of special local character are historically important areas that fail to meet the criteria for conservation area designation. The main difference between conservation areas and areas of special local character is that planning permission is necessary for partial or total demolition in conservation areas, as well as the removal of some permitted development rights.

Permitted development rights in areas of special local character are not affected, unless article 4 directions are made for individual locally listed buildings. However, its special interest will be a material consideration when planning applications which would result in the total or partial demolition, or major alteration, of any building within the area are being determined.

The council is carrying out a public consultation from 9 February to 13 March 2023 on a new type of local listing called an area of special local character for Waterloo Road and Bond Street in South Shore.  

Listed buildings information

Blackpool has a number of Listed buildings and any work carried out on a Listed Building, unless it is a 'like-for-like' repair, will require Listed Building Consent. This type of application is free.

Locally listed buildings

Blackpool Council has set up a list of buildings of local architectural and/or historic interest

Members of  the public are able to nominate buildings for inclusion on the local list. View details of the locally listed buildings.

Tree conservation

The council protects trees and groups of trees by making Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) where appropriate. View the Tree Preservation Order listings and further information on Tree Preservation Orders

Removal of protected trees will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances:

  • Where trees endanger public safety,
  • Or are diseased, and
  • On condition that replacement planting takes place

If you wish to carry out any type of work to a tree that meets any of the following criteria you need the council's consent :

  • Protected by a Tree Preservation Order
  • Is within a conservation area
  • Protected by a condition attached to a planning permission

Heritage statements

Conservation areas, listed buildings, other locally listed buildings, registered parks and gardens, and archaeological remains are also known as heritage assets. 

Most development affecting heritage assets needs planning permission or consent. For information on the requirements for submitting for submitting planning applications affecting heritage assets please see our heritage statement guidance

If you would like to check on any of these, please contact our Customer First Centre