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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 | |
| Witney & Cogges |
1970 |
. 2011 Map |
|
| Woodstock |
1975 |
. |
. |
| Wootton |
1976 |
. |
. |
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Last reviewed 07 November 2011
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