Dartmoor National Park Authority

Conservation Areas

A Conservation Area is defined as ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which, it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.  

Conservation areas on Dartmoor focus on the historic cores of settlements. Such areas may or may not include individually listed buildings. Certain works inside these areas require Conservation Area Consent, other proposals may not need Conservation Area Consent but nevertheless do necessitate the Authority to pay special attention to the character of and approaches to, these areas.

The National Park is required to designate Conservation Areas and keep them under review and there are currently 23 Conservation Areas in the National Park.

As part of this process we undertake the production of Conservation Area Character Appraisals which identify and define the special interest of an area. We also give specialist advice on enhancement proposals for conservation areas and identify other areas which may be suitable for future designation.

To date, 22 Draft Character Appraisals have been prepared for our existing conservation areas. A draft Character Appraisal for Mary Tavy is in preparation.  

We are presently considering designation of a further 5 areas in consultation with local communities and Initial Draft Character Appraisals  have been prepared for discussion and consultation.

As well as buildings and landscape features, trees also contribute to the special character of a Conservation Area. The importance of trees in Conservation Areas is recognised in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (external site, opens new window) which makes special provision for trees in Conservation Areas which are not already protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

Page updated 10 December 2008