Investigating townscape change and management in urban conservation areas: the importance of detailed monitoring of planned alterations

Abstract

This paper examines some of the planed townscape changes affecting large city centre conservation areas and that have influenced policy through over twenty years of control. Data from local planning authority planning application files are used to identify the development trends in central conservation areas and the difficulties these pose for conservation policies. Detailed examination highlights the significant changes that can occur in central areas at the small scale, and some of the processes of change which remain largely unexamined by planning authorities. Identification of this ‘hidden’ change demonstrates the importance of monitoring at the small scale, and can identify key conservation ‘problems’ affecting these areas, including facadism, erosion of character and the weakness of local policies.