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Conservation Areas

Conservation Areas are places identified as having special architectural character or historic interest, which deserve preservation or enhancement. Many of the historic towns and villages of West Oxfordshire have a distinctive character that is worthy of special protection. These may contain listed or unlisted buildings, ancient or comparatively recent structures, as well as open spaces, gardens or parkland.

Local Character is particularly marked in West Oxfordshire, where the local oolitic limestone is the dominant material. It was cut into smooth ashlar facings for the walls of important buildings, laid as coursed facings for the walls or as coursed rubble for less pretentious houses, cottages and barns. Limestone was burnt in kilns to make quicklime. When slaked with water, it forms the base for lime mortar, lime plaster and a weatherproofing external limewash. Limestone was laid dry for boundary walls, and split by the frost into natural slates for roofing. Only in the far north and south of the district was this supremacy challenged, by ironstone in the north, and by timber framing, elm weatherboarding and brick and tile in the south-east.

The historic settlements of West Oxfordshire owe their charm to the consistency of local materials, and the unfolding pattern of historic building styles. Buildings appear to have grown together, producing a visual context into which new development must be thoughtfully inserted if it is not to damage the appearance of the existing settlements.

Today a wide range of architectural forms and synthetic materials are available. These, when juxtaposed with traditional forms and natural materials, often appear alien and out of place. Unless special care is used in design and choice of materials for new buildings, the character of our historic settlements will be progressively eroded and ultimately lost to future generations.

Effects of Conservation Area Designation

The designation of a Conservation Area does not imply that no further development or change will take place. However, where new building is to be allowed, it ensures that it is fully in sympathy with the character of the area. In Conservation Areas, the preservation and enhancement of the area is a consideration in all planning decisions. Either by development which makes a positive contribution to an area's character or appearance, or by development which leaves character and appearance unharmed.

Planning applications made for development should show how the proposals preserve and enhance the character of the area, and demonstrate that the proposals are in sympathy with the surroundings. Special attention should be given to the design, scale and use of the materials, so that the existing character of the area is not damaged.

The Planning Service is required to publicise details and invite comments on all planning applications made in Conservation Areas. This is done by neighbour notifications, consulting the Parish Council, advertising in the local press and by displaying site notices.

Conservation Areas in West Oxfordshire

Below you will find a list of Conservation Areas in West Oxfordshire. We are currently appraising the Conservation Areas (CAs) and setting out proposals for their preservation and enhancement, the result of which can be seen in the documents listed here.

Where available, there is a Character Appraisal and a Proposal for Preservation and Enhancement document for each Conservation Area. Together, they set out the main aspects of the character and appearance which contribute to the special interest and quality of the area and describe strategies for the future maintenance and improvement of each, as well as providing development advice and guidance.

Conservation Area maps can also be viewed online on the My West Oxfordshire website. There you will be able to search by map or postcode to find your area of interest.

Some of these files are large. To avoid problems, right-click the document and choose 'Save Target As' to download the file as this will enable you to 'Cancel' should you wish. We are currently working on reducing the file sizes to make them easier to download.

Conservation Area	Year of designation	Appraisal	Proposal for Preservation and Enhancement
Alvescot	1988	Appraisal	P & E Document
Asthall	1993	.	.
Aston	1999	.	.
Bampton	1976	.	.
Bartons	1993	.	.
Bladon inc. proposed boundary change	1990	Appraisal	P & E Document
Burford	1970	.	.
Cassington	1992	Appraisal	P & E Document
Charlbury	1974	.	.
Chastleton	1995	Appraisal	P & E Document
Chipping Norton	1970	.	.
Church Hanborough	1990	.	.
Churchill	1989	.	.
Combe	1989	.	.
Cornwell	1994	Appraisal	P & E Document
Ducklington	1988	.	.
Eynsham	1975	.	.
Fawler	1991	.	.
Filkins & Broughton Poggs	1986	Appraisal	P & E Document
Finstock	1991	Appraisal	P & E Document
Great Rollright	1990	Appraisal	P & E Document
Great Tew	1978	.	.
Hailey	1992	Appraisal	P & E Document
Hardwick	1989	.	.
Idbury	1991	.	.
Kelmscott	1995	.	.
Kencot	1994	Appraisal	P & E Document
Kingham	1986	.	.
Langford	1993	Appraisal	P & E Document
Leafield	1990	.	.
Little Tew	2006	Appraisal	P & E Document
Long Hanborough Millwood End	2004	Appraisal	P & E Document
Minster Lovell	1990	Appraisal	P & E Document
Northmoor	1992	.	.
Over Norton	1992	.	.
Radcot	1995	.	.
Ramsden	1991	Appraisal	P & E Document
Sandford St. Martin	1991	.	.
Shilton	1985	.	.
Shipton-U-Wychwood	1989	.	.
Spelsbury, Taston & Dean	1991	Appraisal	P & E Document
Stanton Harcourt & Sutton	1989	Appraisal	P & E Document
Stonesfield	1988	.	.
Swerford	1988	Appraisal	P & E Document
Swinbrook	1990	Appraisal	P & E Document
Tackley	1994	.	.
Taynton	1970	Appraisal	P & E Document
Witney & Cogges	1970	Appraisal	. 2011 Map
Woodstock	1975	.	.
Wootton	1976	.	.