Conservation area review
Conservation areas - Brockenhurst and Sway Tower
Consultation on character appraisals and proposed boundary changes
exhibition panel (3 MB) questionnaire (37 KB) draft character appraisal (3 MB)
Key characteristics: 
Brockenhurst Sway Tower
Character maps: Brockenhurst (619 KB)
Boundary maps: Brockenhurst (612 KB) Sway Tower (1.1 MB)
New Forest National Park was created in 2005 and the National Park Authority took up full statutory functions from April 2006. The Authority is the organisation responsible for delivering the two purposes of National Park designation:
- to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park; and
- to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the Park's special qualities by the public.
In pursuing these purposes and as required under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act, the Authority is reviewing the designation of conservation areas in the Park.
As part of this review character appraisals are being prepared for all conservation areas and at the same time the boundaries of the areas, last assessed in the 1990s, are, in accordance with best practice, being reviewed.
A conservation area is defined as an “area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance”.
Designation introduces a general control over the demolition of unlisted buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all the aspects of character or appearance that define the area’s special interest.
It is the quality and interest of the area, rather than that of individual buildings, which is the prime consideration in identifying a conservation area, and, as the definition above, this is focused specifically on the special historic and architectural interest of the area.
Consultation
We would welcome your views. Comments and completed questionnaires should be addressed to:
Environmental Services
New Forest National Park Authority
South Efford House
Milford Road
Lymington
SO41 OJD
Comments should be received by 20 February 2009
