Conservation Area Enquiry: The Facts.

Uffington Parish Council is aware of recent discussions and an informal poll on local WhatsApp groups regarding the possibility of applying for parts of Uffington to become a Conservation Area.

The Parish Council is committed to representing the best interests of all parishioners and ensuring everyone has accurate, impartial information before decisions are made. Following enquiries made by the Council, we can now share the official guidance received this week from Shropshire Council’s Historic Environment Team:

1. Can Uffington become a Conservation Area right now?

No. Shropshire Council has confirmed that they do not currently have the staffing capacity to undertake any new Conservation Area designations, and this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Their team is currently focused on updating existing, out-of-date Conservation Area appraisals rather than creating new ones.

2. What can be done in the meantime?

• Registering Future Interest: Uffington Parish Council can submit a formal letter of interest to Shropshire Council so Uffington is placed on a waiting list should their capacity change in the future. Supporting this requires local research into historic maps, boundaries, and architectural significance.
• Listing Individual Properties: A Conservation Area is not required to protect individual historic buildings. Any resident can apply for free directly to Historic England to have a specific building or site assessed for statutory listing.

3. Understanding the Pros and Cons

Before deciding whether to pursue Conservation Area status, it is important to understand what it actually means for homeowners. A Conservation Area does not automatically ban all nearby building work or preserve open views, and it places extra legal restrictions and planning costs on residents living inside the boundary (such as needing planning permission for replacement windows, roof changes, or solar panels, and giving six weeks' notice for tree work).

Please read our full, impartial guide on the Parish Council website before sharing your view:

👉 Read the Pros and Cons of a Conservation Area

4. How to Have Your Say Formally

Because WhatsApp groups do not include every resident in the parish—and include non-residents—the Parish Council requires formal, written requests to make official decisions on behalf of the village.

• If you have read the full pros and cons and would like Uffington Parish Council to formally discuss and vote on submitting a "letter of interest" to Shropshire Council at our January meeting, please email the Clerk directly: [email protected]

Get Involved in Shaping Uffington

• Local Plan Working Party: We are still looking for volunteers from the village to join a working party looking at the Local Plan.
• Parish Council Vacancies: If you care deeply about our community and want to help make decisions for Uffington, please contact the Clerk to find out about joining the Parish Council.
• Attending Meetings: Everyone is welcome at Parish Council meetings. Please note that meetings are held in public, and not a public meeting, with a 3-minute speaking slot per resident during the Public Participation Session. Letting the Clerk know in advance if you wish to raise an item helps us manage the agenda smoothly, and rules for speaking are attached.

 

Kind Regards

Alison Palmer - PSLCC 

Parish Clerk