Conservation area status gives the Local Authority additional powers to ensure that development is in keeping with existing styles and the character of the area and to prepare schemes of enhancement for such areas.
Whilst Conservation Areas may contain Listed Buildings, the Council will be concerned to protect, as far as it can, the total environment and all elements that contribute to it, including: buildings, walls, railings and other means of enclosure, open spaces and trees etc.. It is equally important that land uses which would disrupt or prejudice the character of the area are not allowed.
Though individual buildings or structures may not be particularly important in themselves, collectively they may make a contribution to the overall character of an area. As such, demolitions can have a serious effect on a Conservation Area and the Council considers that it is important to control demolition properly.
In this respect the Council will generally seek to retain buildings or other structures which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area. Demolitions will only be allowed where the building or structure does not positively contribute to the character or appearance of the area, where it is beyond reasonable economic repair or where replacement proposals would make a greater environmental contribution. Even where demolition is appropriate, consent will not be given unless acceptable and detailed plans for a redevelopment or restoration scheme has been approved by the Council and a contract for the carrying out of those works has been entered into.
Development proposals within Conservation Areas will be considered against Local Plan Policies. The Council intends to undertake Conservation Area Appraisals and subsequent Policy Statements as supplementary planning guidance for each Conservation Area. When prepared, development proposals will also be considered in relation to their effect on the character and appearance of the area as identified in the supplementary planning guidance.
There are ten designated Conservation Areas within the Borough:
| Kirkham | |
| St Annes (Porritt Houses / Ashton Gardens) | |
| Thistleton | |
| Wrea Green | |
| Singleton | |
| Lytham (Town Centre) | |
| Lytham (Avenues) | |
| St Annes (St Annes Road East) | |
| Larbreck (Well Lane) | |
| St. Annes on Sea (Town Centre) |
