Conservation areas
There are 93 conservation areas within towns and villages in County Durham. These are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which should be preserved or enhanced.
The character appraisal for some areas are available through the links below. If information on a particular conservation area is currently not available online then please contact us for copies of the designated boundary map and/or any other background information.
Area A-D
- Annfield Plain
- Aycliffe Village
- Barnard Castle
- Barningham
- Beamish Burn
- Bishop Auckland
- Bishop Middleham
- Blackhill
- Bolam
- Bowburn
- Bowes
- Brancepeth
- Brandon
- Brusselton
- Burnhall
- Burnopfield
- Castle Eden
- Chester-le-Street
- Cleatlam
- Cockfield
- Cockton Hill
- Cornforth
- Cornsay
- Cotherstone
- Cowshill
- Crook
Areas D-K
- Durham City
- Easington Village
- East Blackdene
- Eastgate
- Ebchester
- Edmundbyers
- Eggleston
- Esh
- Frosterley
- Gainford
- Greta Bridge
- Hardwick Park
- Hawthorn
- Headlam
- Hett
- Hilton
- Holywell
- Hunstanworth
- Hunwick
- Ingleton
- Ireshopeburn Newhouse and West Blackdene
- Iveston
Areas K-S
- Kirk Merrington
- Lanchester
- Langton
- Lartington
- Lintzford
- Little Newsham
- Low Westwood
- Mainsforth
- Medomsley
- Mickleton
- Middleton-in-Teesdale
- Middridge
- Mordon
- Muggleswick
- Newbiggin
- Old Cassop
- Pittington Hallgarth
- Plawsworth
- Romaldkirk
- Satley
- Seaham
Areas S-Z
- Sedgefield
- Shadforth
- Sherburn
- Sherburn House
- Shildon
- Shincliffe
- Shotley Bridge
- St John's Chapel
- Staindrop
- Stanhope
- Sunderland Bridge
- Tanfield
- Thornley
- Trimdon Village
- Tudhoe
- Wackerfield
- Wearhead
- West Auckland Conservation Area
- Westgate
- Whitworth
- Whorlton
- Windlestone
- Witton-le-Wear
- Wolsingham
Planning controls
Additional planning controls apply in conservation areas. These include controls over the demolition of buildings as well as increased controls over minor developments such as cladding, dormer windows, satellite dishes, masts and antennae and provisions for the protection of trees.
In conservation areas, you must get permission from us before you can make certain changes that would not normally require permission elsewhere. As a general guide, the following works require permission. However, you are advised to contact us for specific guidance relating to your proposals.
- Works to extend buildings, clad external walls, alter a roof, insert dormer windows or put up satellite dishes.
- The demolition of almost any building.
- Work to trees including felling, topping and lopping.
- The display of advertisements which may have a significant visual impact.
In some conservation areas, there are further limits as to the type of development that can be carried out without the need to apply for permission. In these areas, Article 4 Directions apply. This means extra provisions are in place to protect special features such as windows and doors. If your property is in a conservation area you can contact the conservation section to find out if it is affected by an Article 4 Direction.
We have the power to create conservation areas. However, it must develop appropriate planning policies to protect and enhance the area's character and formulate and publish proposals for its preservation and enhancement.
- Heritage, Landscape and Design
- design.conservation@durham.gov.uk
- 03000 267 146
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Our address is:
- County Hall
- Durham
- County Durham
- United Kingdom
- DH1 5UQ