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Have your say on conservation area updates

Two local conservation areas are being reviewed and we need your help to best understand, protect and enhance them.

South Oxfordshire District Council is undertaking conservation area assessments in Cuxham and a combined area across Dorchester-on-Thames and Overy, and are inviting residents to provide feedback on proposed changes over the next two months.

Conservation areas are designed to help protect the characteristics of a specific area, including their architectural and historic interests, which make them a distinctive and unique place.

Councils are required to undertake and publish assessments of conservation areas, known as appraisals, from time and time and consult with the public on the proposed changes. Two upcoming appraisals will be available for comments on the following dates.

Current consultations:

  • Dorchester-on-Thames and Overy: held from Wednesday 25 January to Wednesday 1 March. The appraisal recommends one proposed boundary change to include an area of high archaeological interest in the field to the south of the village.
  • Cuxham Conservation Area: held from Wednesday 8 February to Wednesday 15 March. There are no proposed changes to the boundary.

All comments received will be taken into account when considering whether to make any changes or revisions to the assessment documents. The assessments will then be presented to Cabinet for adoption in the coming months and used for the ongoing management of these areas.

Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson, Cabinet Member for Planning at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “These reviews are important to ensure we protect the unique characteristics of our local spaces, which all add to the charm of our district.

“Properties directly affected by the proposed boundary changes will receive letters with more information, but I strongly encourage all local residents to save the date and get involved by completing our survey.”

Cllr Robin Bennett, local South Oxfordshire District Council ward member for Berinsfield which covers the Dorchester and Overy conservation area, said: “The conservation area is an important planning tool to protect Dorchester and Overy’s unique heritage, both above and under the ground, so I encourage residents to have their say in this consultation.”

Cllr Anna Badcock, local South Oxfordshire District Council ward member for Watlington which incorporates the Cuxham conservation area, said: “This conservation area change is impactful on our communities and I urge local residents to take up this opportunity influence how your local area is protected, and to engage and respond to this consultation. I look forward to the council embracing the knowledgeable recommendations of local people when the updated Conservation Area is finalised and then adopted at Cabinet.”

Paper copies of the documents and comment forms will also be available at a variety of local sites, more details can be found on council’s website. Find out more and have your say on upcoming consultations at: https://www.southoxon.gov.uk/conservation-areas

Notes for editors

Boundary changes are proposed in some areas to update ongoing issues caused by past mapping, changes to property boundaries over time, or to include areas of architectural and historic interest of the area.

Property and land in conservation areas are covered by extra planning controls which help to guard against inappropriate work, such as rules covering demolition, development, advertising and tree protection.

Following this community engagement, council officers will review all comments and make appropriate changes to the draft document, and then move to adopt the papers through the council Cabinets. Once adopted, the final documents will be published on the councils’ websites.