The Effectiveness of the Way Conservation Areas Are Identified - Coursework Example

Discuss the effectiveness of the way Conservation Areas are identified, protected, and managed in the context of the aim to protect and enhance character and appearance. Conservation Area Identification Conservation areas involve preserving plants, animals, historic parks and gardens, and indigenous communities whose character and appearance explains the diversity of life (Cowan, 2004, p.2). Identification of such areas involves identifying the potential in a land based on the land’s special architectural or historical interest (English Heritage, 2012, p. 4). The conservation process is a multi stage process whose length depends on a country’s constitution. The most important thing before the start of the process is that the conservation team has to identify a desirable trait and appearance that need preservation and enhancement. Identifying a conservation area takes a number of ways. One of the ways involves looking into historic characterization of an area in relation to development threats. The history outlays the initial plan that explains the special characteristics that could have been attached to the area (Mokany, et. al., 2014, p. 1) The other way is inviting the residents in identifying the characteristic of the area, that is most important to them, because of the historical association only understood by them (English Heritage, 2012, p.4). The evidence gathered on such characterization advice the local authority to articulate the special interest and support such an area has before appraising the place to a conservation area. Appraisal thus expresses the exact element that makes the area have a special quality to be conserved. Appraising an area before designating for conservation is used as a key to understanding the area’s characteristics that are necessary for planning and decision making. The authorities involved, through the appraisal process, gets to analyze the usable parts of the area to be conserved as well as evaluate the necessary beneficial changes that can be adopted (Buchanan, Donald, Butchart, 2011, p. 1). The authorities then develop a management plan on how the area can be restrained from development changes capable of eroding the characteristics under conservation (Forest Stewardship Council, 2008, p.1). Conservation area designation is based on a number of historical and architectural interests. Part of the interests focus on sections in an area where there is a higher number of heritage assets (Cowan, 2004, p.7). The assets could be nationally or community designated. Historic associations may include historical architectural styles or building materials still visible in the modern planning patterns. The value attached to any of the traits lead to conservation either by the public or special conservation bodies. Prior to the designation, local planning authority is mandated to notify the public on the indented designation (EPA, 2014, p.1). The communities likely to be affected by the designation get a chance to be involved in the identification of the conservation area’s status as well as the boundaries. The communities also evaluate the intention against the community values as a way of appraising the whole idea on conservation (Cowan, 2004, p. 7). The communities influence is thus encouraged from the appraisal stage since the community’s input assist in setting special interests on the area. After community appraisal, boundary setting of the designated area attracts additional control from national policy on conservation (Jones, 2014, p. 4). The set boundaries thus have to comply with the development plan. Conservation Area protection Setting out an area as conservation area affects accessibility to amenities in that area. The manner of protection placed on such areas influence property development by either enhancing or reducing property value (Jaeger, 2006, p. 124). To be able to handle the changes brought by conservation, some controls are installed to protect the designated area. The controls include control on demolition, working on trees, preserving the appearance of the area, restriction on type of developments, and control on outdoor advertisements (English Heritage, 2012, p.7). The mentioned controls are reinforced by the presence of national planning policies, local development authorities, and necessity to acquire development rights. The characteristics and looks of a conservation area can change with time. Local authority should therefore carry out reviews from time to time. The reviews assist in identifying areas where additional protection will enhance the original reason for the conservation (English Heritage, 2012, p.6). Through the review, bleach of the original protection plans as well as fresh threats and opportunities are sought. However, with proper maintenance procedures being followed to the later, appearance and character of most conservation areas do not change, the review may be used to appraise the area based on the changes in community interests that merit consideration, checking on the effectiveness of the management strategy, and getting new recommendations to be implemented (Jones, 2014, p. 23). The outcome of the review thus gives directions on the next step the local authority should take in either doing a fresh designation or re-adopting the fresh appraisal. Conservation Area management Conservation designated areas need proper management for the maximum use of the resources to be realized. To retain the quality of the area that caused its designation, a management plan on how neglect and development pressure will be managed is set out (Forest Stewardship Council, 2008, p.2). The plan includes “local planning policies, regeneration strategy, guidance, enhancement schemes, trees, open space and green infrastructure strategy, streets and traffic management, and enforcement and remediation strategy” (English Heritage, 2012, p.17). Local planning policies outlays the boundaries of the already established conservation areas as well as new areas set aside for conservation (Lopoukhine, 2012, p.1). Conservation objectives in relation to social and economic objectives are highlighted in order of priority. Social economic objectives in this case encompass development plans. The policies in that regard includes how specific views and panoramas will be protected, development briefs for the important sites, procedure to be followed in case of demolition and accepted extensions and adjustments to the historic sites. Environmental improvement involves removing anything affecting the usability of the conservation area (English Heritage, 2012, p.7). This is both in the streets and in the conservation area. The local authority is served with maintenance manuals that explain how the streets and the conservation areas should look like. Through local authority, original plans are reviewed against the obstructions and the authority works on establishing tangible and lasting improvements (Forest Stewardship Council, 2008, p.7). Through regular reviews, problems on appearance and conditions of the conservation area are dealt with as they arise. The effectiveness of the way Conservation Areas are identified, protected and managed To identify historic architectural characteristics, protecting the characteristics from gradual erosion of the original appearance, and maintain the appearance are among the key concepts behind conservation areas (Forest Stewardship Council, 2008, p.6). However, the approach taken on each of the concepts may influence the outcome of the original plan. Identifying a conservation site from history is one of the most effective methods used. The method requires the engagement of the local communities who emphasize on the most important parts of history to the community. The conservation team thus starts the whole process with the support from the community. The engagement of the local community ensures that cost of preparation and conservation appraisals is minimized. However, a development minded community will sometimes cause specific threats to the designated conservation area. Protection thus becomes an integrated part of the conservation activity if the original plan on the conservation area will need to be retained. Conservation area protection at times gets into removal of initially permitted development rights. Through documented articles in the constitution, the protection is enhanced whether it is working against or for the community around the conservation area. The controls placed at times hinder other forms of development that can have higher economic value to the community. However, compensation rights of the property owners cover any disadvantage that could befall them when development is denied. Conservation area maintenance is left to the local authority. Local authority works to ensure the original characteristic and appearance is maintained. However, the emphasis on refusal of any application capable of creating harm or loss on significance of the conservation area, the authority manages to keep the conservation areas with the initial characteristic. However, as time goes by, staffs transfers have often lead to employment of new people who either need to be briefed on the original intention or need to study the original plan (Gonzalez and Martin, 2007, p.13). Depending on how the information is passed, there could be possible erosion of the original plan either intentionally or innocently. Engagement of the local communities comes in handy in ensuring that at any given time, their original interest on the historic site is maintained. References Buchanan, G. M., Donald, P. F., & Butchart, S. H. M. (2011). Identifying priority areas for conservation: A global assessment for forest dependent birds. PLoS ONE, 6(12): e29080. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029080. Cowan, A. (2004). Protecting our ancestor’s legacy for the generations of the future. Arboricultural & Ecological Research Consultants. Accessed on 15 July 2014 from: http://wbrc.org.uk/atp/Protecting%20our%20ancestors%20legacy%20-%20Arbor%20Ecology.pdf English Heritage. (2012). Understanding place: Conservation area designation, appraisal, and management. English Heritage. Accessed on 14 July 2014 from: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/understanding-place-conservation-area/understanding-place-ca-designation-appraisal-management.pdf EPA. (2014). Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed on 15 July 2014 from: http://www2.epa.gov/epcra/local-emergency-planning-committees Forest Stewardship Council. (2008). High conservation values and biodiversity: Identification, management and monitoring. FSC. Accessed on 15 July 2014 from: https://ic.fsc.org/preview.high-conservation-values-and-biodiversity-identification-management-and-monitoring.a-275.pdf Gonzalez, A. M., & Martin, A. S. (2007). Partners in protected area conservation. The Nature Conservancy. Accessed on 15 July 2014 from: https://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCgQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationgateway.org%2FConservationPlanning%2Fpartnering%2Fcpc%2FDocuments%2FPartners_in_Protected_Area_Conservation.pdf&ei=HCnFU5C6DPLH7AaAgIG4Dg&usg=AFQjCNH60plOtBll5V33Mbea39XqXaETzg&sig2=ErkiAEocPaFKz4pibtYxkg&bvm=bv.70810081,d.bGE&cad=rja Jaeger, W. K. (2006). The effects of land-use regulations on property values. 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