Conservation areas

Conservation area designation should be regarded as a method of identifying and protecting areas of special architectural or historic significance. The designation of conservation areas will not preclude development within them, but will ensure greater emphasis is placed on high quality design and materials, ensuring the character and appearance of these areas is both preserved and enhanced.

Conservation areas in East Cambridgeshire

There are currently 26 conservation areas in East Cambridgeshire.

Town	Information
Ashley	Ashley conservation area appraisal Ashley conservation area map originally designated: 8 November 2005
Bottisham	Bottisham conservation area map originally designated: 1973
Brinkley	Brinkley conservation area map originally designated: 4 December 1974
Burrough Green	Burrough Green conservation area map originally designated: 4 December 1974
Burwell, High Town	Burwell High Town conservation area appraisal Burwell High Town conservation area map Burwell Article 4 Directions originally designated: 12 July 1974 (extended: 14 December 2006)
Burwell, North Street	Burwell North Street conservation area appraisal Burwell North Street conservation area map Burwell Article 4 Directions originally designated: 12 July 1974 (extended: 14 December 2006)
Cheveley	Cheveley conservation area map originally designated: 27 January 1981
Chippenham	Chippenham conservation area map originally designated: 16 April 1975
Dullingham	Dullingham conservation area appraisal Dullingham conservation area map originally designated: 16 April 1975 (extended: 5 February 2010)
Ely	Ely conservation area appraisal Ely conservation area map Ely Article 4 Directions originally designated: 10 May 1975 (extended: 1981, 1 February 1995, 8 November 2007)
Fordham	Fordham conservation area map originally designated: 10 September 1975
Haddenham	Haddenham conservation area appraisal Haddenham conservation area map originally designated: 4 February 1972 (extended: 22 January 2008)
Haddenham, Hill Row	Haddenham, Hill Row conservation area appraisal Haddenham conservation area map designation extended: 22 January 2008
Isleham	Isleham conservation area map originally designated: 16 April 1975
Little Downham	Little Downham conservation area appraisal Little Downham conservation area map originally designated: 10 September 1975 (extended: 6 March 2012)
Littleport	Littleport conservation area appraisal Littleport conservation area map originally designated: 1991 (extended: 9 November 2010)
Lode	Lode conservation area map originally designated: 9 July 1973 (extended: 3 July 1991)
Reach	Reach conservation area map originally designated: 16 April 1975
Snailwell	Snailwell conservation area map originally designated: 1991
Soham	Soham conservation area appraisal Soham conservation area map Soham Article 4 Directions originally designated: Pre 1974 (extended: 23 January 2007)
Stretham	Stretham conservation area appraisal Stretham conservation area map originally designated: 21 September 1973 (extended: 1 September 2009)
Sutton	Sutton conservation area appraisal Sutton conservation area map originally designated: 1 February 1973 (extended 20 March 2013)
Swaffham Bulbeck	Swaffham Bulbeck conservation area map originally designated: 27 January 1981
Swaffham Bulbeck, Commercial End	Swaffham Bulbeck conservation area map originally designated: 10 March 1972
Swaffham Prior	Swaffham Prior conservation area map originally designated: 12 July 1974
Upend, Kirtling	Upend conservation area map originally designated: 4 December 1974
Wicken	Wicken conservation area map originally designated: 16 April 1975
Wilburton	Wilburton conservation area map originally designated: 4 December 1974 (extended: 1991)
Witcham	Witcham conservation area map originally designated: 12 July 1974

If you require an accessible version of any of these documents, please email contactUs@eastcambs.gov.uk and let us know your requirements.

You can download the Conservation Area dataset on our Planning Datasets page.

Living in a conservation area

Despite popular belief, living in a conservation area does not impose many additional constraints for domestic property owners, unless you are subject to an Article 4 Direction.

Businesses in conservation areas

Commercial properties are generally subject to stronger planning controls, whether in a conservation area or not and many alterations will require planning permission. The council’s shop front design guide (PDF) should form the starting point for anyone considering undertaking alterations to a commercial property.

The council will exercise control over the siting, design and materials of advertisements within its conservation areas, to ensure they do not detract from the character and appearance of the area.
Advertisement consent may be required for the display of some adverts and signs. Illuminated signs will not normally be supported and will always require consent.
It is recommended that you check with the local planning authority prior to commencing works on commercial properties.

If your commercial property is listed you must speak to the conservation officer to determine if you need consent for any works. It is a criminal offence to undertake unauthorised works to a listed building.

Trees in conservation areas

Trees can play an important role in the quality and character of an area and are consequently protected within a conservation area.

Six weeks notice must be given to the council in order to fell, lop or carry out major works to any trees that have a diameter of 75mm at a height of 1.5m from the ground. More information on works to trees can be found on the tree pages of our website.