Cabinet calls for more work on conservation area review

Rushmoor Council's Cabinet has called for more work to be carried out on the review of the South Farnborough Conservation Area.

The move follows an independent survey of the area by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust, which recommended that the conservation area status be removed from South Farnborough.

The Trust said this was because the area did not meet the criteria of English Heritage's new conservation area guidelines, which were published earlier this year.

Instead, the Trust proposed that the area should become an Area of Local Distinctiveness. This would highlight its community value and 'specialness' and also help to preserve the general character of the area.

But at its meeting on Tuesday (7), the Council's Cabinet decided that no decision should be made until more work has been carried out to re-examine the Trust's proposals. It also called for a further report to Cabinet once this work has been completed.

Councillor Peter Moyle, Leader of the Council, said: "We have a duty to review our conservation areas to make sure they are still relevant and appropriate and meet the special designation. However, we also recognise the strength of feeling among many local residents about the protection they feel is offered by being in a conservation area.

"In this case, we are firmly of the view that the Council should re-examine the Trust's recommendations and their reasons behind them before we make any decisions on the future of South Farnborough's conservation area status. We will keep residents fully informed once this work has been completed. "

For more information, please contact Keith Holland, Head of Planning, on 01252 398790