Across South Cambridgeshire and the City of Cambridge, there are many areas that are of special architectural and historical interest. To maintain their historical importance, we designate these areas as conservation areas, and these have extra planning controls in place to protect the historic and architectural elements which make these places special. Our conservation areas vary greatly in character. From historic urban areas in central Cambridge, to remote villages in South Cambridgeshire, we have over 100 across the Greater Cambridge area, and these are all within the remit of the Greater Cambridgeshire Planning Service. You may wish to check if your property is within a conservation area on our website, because in conservation areas there are restrictions on what changes or alterations can be made to buildings. What work can be carried out on trees, and restrictions on other activities that may have an impact on the area. These all exist so that the character or appearance of these areas can be maintained for future generations to enjoy. For example, if your property is within a conservation area, you may need planning permission for some works which would not normally need permission. This may include demolition, alterations, or additions such as extensions, as well as changing fences or boundary walls, and adding planning to exterior walls of the building. Trees are frequently an important aspect of our conservation areas. Many of our trees across South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City have tree protection orders that prevent them from being cut down or have unauthorised work performed on them. You may not be aware however that all trees in conservation areas automatically have protection, even if they don't have a specific tree preservation order on them. You'll need to request permission to carry out any work on a tree in a conservation area. For an increasing number of areas, we have produced conservation area appraisals. These help to understand and document what aspects make up the special character of each area and to highlight plans for future management. We encourage the public, local parishes, and resident scripts to consult with us on these appraisals. You can find details on our website. Remember that the Greater Cambridgeshire Planning Service have expert conservation officers who are here to help you with conservation area queries. We take a pragmatic approach to maintaining our conservation areas. For example, we offer guidance on making historic homes more energy efficient. We also offer a pre-application service where, for a fee, you can submit an initial inquiry that outlines your intentions and receive feedback on the likelihood of your proposal being accepted should you decide to go ahead and request formal planning permission. Conservation areas serve an important role in preserving these special areas so that we can all enjoy them now and into the future. If you are an property in a conservation area or a thinking of buying one, be aware of your responsibilities in looking after the building and its surrounding area for future generations. And remember that the Greater Cambridgeshire Planning Service is here to help you.