CA/1

POLICY CA/1
IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIAL CHARACTER

It is the quality and interest of areas, rather than that of individual buildings which should be the prime consideration in identifying conservation areas. Features such as:-

• The historic street pattern and definition of property boundaries;
• A particular mix or variety of uses;
• The use of materials or styles local to the particular area, or the island;
• The quality of "period" architecture;
• The quality and detail of contemporary buildings;
• The survival of building types or features, such as shop fronts, street furniture, decorative ironwork;
• The presence and form of hard and soft landscaping;
• The quality of enclosure, spaces between buildings and vistas along streets;
• The presence of green open spaces and trees as "breathing spaces";
• The presence of water in the landscape: this might be in the form of a stream, river, weir or waterfall, dub or pond, lake, estuary, harbour or coastline. Other physical features, not listed above, may also make a major contribution to the over all interest of a locality.

Conservation area designation should take account of and recognise the wide variety of qualities, including the historic development of the neighbourhood, which can all serve to be important in making up the unique and special character of an area.

There are at present ten conservation areas in the Island and whilst Registration focuses on the merits and protection of individual buildings, conservation area designation is the main means whereby the special architectural quality or local character of an area may be preserved and enhanced for our present enjoyment and that of generations to come.