South Benfleet Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan and Design Code

Overview

The South Benfleet Conservation Area is a valued area of heritage in the borough. As such it is important to manage the area effectively. As a consequence of this a South Benfleet Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan has been prepared, which once complete, will supersede the existing Character Appraisal and Management Plan.

This appraisal is designed to enhance the understanding of South Benfleet Conservation Area and its development, informing future design. Applications that demonstrate an understanding of the character of a conservation area are more likely to produce appropriate design and positive outcomes for agents and their clients.  

In addition to the Character Appraisal and Managment Plan, a Design Code, specific to the South Benfleet Conservation Area has been prepared.  

The Design Code is mainly for building owners, developers and decision makers with an interest in the South Benfleet Conservation Area to help with the preservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of the area. The purpose is to ensure its special architectural and historic interest is conserved.

Once formally adopted, planning applications that are submitted for changes to buildings, the redevelopment of sites and new developments within the Conservation Area, must adhere to the principles set out within that document.

Why your views matter

By consulting on the Character Appraisal and Management Plan it allows residents, businesses, the community and stakeholders the opportunity to feed into the document, ensuring that it covers all of the sensitivites and information relevant to the South Benfleet Conservation Area. 

It also provides the opportunity for consultees to make comments to feed into the proposed Design Code document which will impact what development will look like in the Conservation Area. 

What happens next

All the comments received on the South Benfleet Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan or South Benfleet Design Code will be used update the documents as appropriate.

Once finalised these documents will need to be agreed by the Council and once implemented will influence future development in the South Benfleet Conservation Area.