Conservation Areas

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The Council has already consulted the public for six weeks on the St Osyth and Manningtree and Mistley Conservation Area Appraisals in October 2021 and May 2022 respectively. These consultations received a significant number of comments from members of the public and other stakeholders, who raised many interesting issues on the historic environment. It is proposed that there are alterations to both the text of the Conservation Area Appraisals and the boundaries of these two Conservation Areas.

In addition to changes made in response to the public consultations, a mapping error was identified in the St Osyth appraisal which incorrectly omitted part of the existing Conservation Area boundary – land to the west of St Osyth Priory where the recent City and Country development has taken place at West Field. In fact, this area should be identified as a proposed reduction to the Conservation Area. This mapping error has also been addressed within the updated appraisal document.

These changes are significant enough to merit a further period of focused public consultation. A four-week public consultation on these specific matters, will commence on Monday 22nd September and close on Monday 20th October 2025. Please access the documents and consultation here https://tendringdc.oc2.uk

Please note if you have previously commented on these Appraisals and do not wish to make any further comments then there is no need to contact us again.

Hard copies of the Updated Appraisals and other documents are available at Manningtree Library, Clacton Library, West Clacton Library (Jaywick Lane) and the Town Hall Reception, during usual opening hours.

Local Authorities have the power to designate "conservation areas", which are defined as "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". Broadly, the designation of a conservation area means that:

  • The Council can exercise a greater level of control over the merits of development to ensure it is in sympathy with its surroundings (in terms of materials, scale, etc).
  • Applications for all proposed development in a conservation area must be advertised with a site notice and in the press.
  • Consent is required for the demolition of all but minor structures.
  • It is more likely the development will require planning permission.
  • Trees are given added protection.

Progress on Adoption of Conservation Area Appraisals

Each of the Conservation Areas in Tendring has an appraisal which details why the area is historically important. Some Conservation Areas also have a Management Plan which highlights future opportunities and risks within the Conservation Area.

The Council is in the process of updating the Conservation Area Appraisals. Each new appraisal was the subject of a six-week public consultation, during which the Council hosted drop-in events within or near to the Conservation Area and invited comments on the appraisals themselves.

The first seven new appraisals were adopted by the Council in July 2024, with a further six appraisals adopted in January 2025. These have replaced the previous appraisals and management plans.

The next five appraisals were adopted by the Council in July 2025.

This table lists the Conservation Areas, the adopted appraisals and management plans, when they were first designated and what boundary updates have taken place since adoption.

Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan Adopted Conservation Area Boundary
Ardleigh Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan April 2025

Original Designation 23.03.1981
Extension March 2006
Ardleigh Conservation Area Map 2025
Bradfield Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan May 2025

Original Designation 21.09.1981
Extension March 2006
Bradfield Conservation Area Map 2025
Brightlingsea Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 30.06.1975
Extension September 1985
Extension September 1987
Brightlingsea Conservation Area Map 2024
Brightlingsea Hall and All Saints Church Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 22.03.1993
Brightlingsea Hall and All Saints Church Conservation Area Map 2024
Clacton Seafront Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2023

Original Designation 04.12.2001
Clacton Seafront Conservation Area Map 2023
Lower Dovercourt Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 14.07.1986
Extension July 1992
Extension September 1995
Lower Dovercourt Conservation Area Map 2024
Frinton and Walton Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 19.06.1982
Extension November 1989
Frinton and Walton Conservation Area Map 2024
Great Bentley Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 02.10.1969
Extension June 1982
Great Bentley Conservation Area Map 2024
Great Clacton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 19.09.1983
Great Clacton Conservation Area Map 2024
Great Holland Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan May 2025

Original Designation 08.06.1981
Extension November 1988
Extension March 2006
Extension March 2009
Great Holland Conservation Area Map 2025
Great Oakley Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 02.11.1973
Great Oakley Conservation Area Map 2024
Harwich Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2023

Original Designation 19.06.1969
Extension February 1982
Extension July 1986
Extension September 1995
Harwich Conservation Area Map 2023
Kirby-le-Soken Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 08.06.1981
Extension June 1987
Kirby-le-Soken Conservation Area Map 2024
Lawford Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2024

Original Designation 23.03.1981
Extension July 1990
Lawford Conservation Area Map 2024
Manningtree and Mistley Conservation Area Management Plan July 2010

Original Designation 02.10.1969
Extension March 1981 and June 1983
Extension December 1989
Extension August 2010
Ramsey Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan April 2025

Original Designation 21.09.1981
Extension March 2006
Ramsey Conservation Area Map 2025
St Osyth Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2009

Original Designation 02.10.1969
Extension June 1982
Extension November 1988
Extension October 2010
Tendring Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan April 2025

Original Designation 21.09.1981
Extension November 1992
Extension March 2006
Tendring Village Conservation Area Map 2025
Thorpe-le-Soken Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2023

Original Designation 02.10.1969
Extension November 1988
Thorpe-le-Soken Conservation Area Map 2023
Thorpe-le-Soken Station and Maltings Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan 2023

Original Designation 26.03.1990
Thorpe-le-Soken Station and Maltings Conservation Area Map 2023

Conservation Area Document data

The following data includes the Conservation Areas within Tendring and a record of the last time they were updated. All Data provided is under the Open Government Licence

Disclaimer

The Council recognises that over time changes have taken place to various buildings referred to in the Appraisals so that certain comments / statements made in relation to those buildings are now, no longer applicable. For up to date information relating to planning applications, permissions or other developments on individual buildings referred to in the appraisals you are advised to use the Council's planning public access or contact Planning Services on 01255 686161

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