Conservation area reviews – Bramham and Woodhall Hills

Residents in the village of Bramham and the hamlet of Woodhall Hills are being asked for their views about the future of their local conservation areas, and to comment on what makes the villages special to them.

Both are recognised conservation areas - Bramham was designated in 1975 and Woodhall Hills in 1984 - which helps to safeguard their special architectural and historic characters, and protect important buildings from demolition. A review of both boundaries is now due.

Periods of public consultation will start for both villages on Monday, 18 January, and public meetings where residents can meet the local community conservation officer and discuss what make the villages special, which buildings and spaces they value the most and how they could be enhanced, will be held as follows:

Bramham - Saturday, 20 February between 10am and 2pm at Bramham Village Hall
Woodhall Hills - Saturday, 6 February between 10 and 11am at The Barn, adjacent to Calverley Church

The Bramham review will run for six weeks until Friday, 26 February, and the Woodhall Hills review will last for four weeks until Friday, 12 February.

Councillor Andrew Carter, council leader and executive board member responsible for development, said:
“It is important that we safeguard the special architectural nature and historic character of these villages and protect important buildings from demolition.

“The opinions of local people are an integral part of the process and these two public meetings are an opportunity for people to speak to conservation officers and make their views known to the council.

“I strongly urge residents in Bramham and Woodhall Hillls to take part in the consultations to help us protect their local environment.”

Buildings within a conservation area are protected from unauthorised demolition, and new developments have to meet higher standards of design than elsewhere. Other planning rules are slightly different and permission from the council is needed for certain activities such as tree felling.

Local councillors in the Wetherby and Harewood, and Calverley and Farsley wards have both made these reviews a priority, and have allocated money to ensure the conservation areas are up to date.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk