main content New Conservation Area to protect Built Heritage

A new Conservation Area in Elm Road, Beckenham, has been given the green light and the Aldersmead Road and the Shortlands Road Conservation Areas are being extended following a decision made at the Environment Portfolio meeting. The moves come as part of the Council's commitment to protect the built heritage and follows widespread public concern that the unique character of some parts of the borough is under threat.

"We have a wealth of Victorian and Edwardian heritage. We will not stand by and see it disappear and are therefore taking action to protect the best examples. Protecting our historic built environment is just as important as protecting our open spaces. Residents are rightly proud of these areas and we are supportive of this." said Councillor George Taylor, Executive Councillor for the Environment.

The decision to create and extend the Conservation Areas follows the Council commissioned GL Hearn (GLH) study of built heritage in March 2004. The consultants were asked to consider the heritage merit and local distinctiveness of Victorian and Edwardian residential properties and areas in the wards in the north west of the Borough and how best to protect that heritage outside of the existing Conservation Areas. The recent designations come from the GLH recommendations.

The Elm Road/Beckenham Road/Cedars Road, which will form part of the new Conservation Area, is characterised by late Victorian houses and includes The Studio and Beckenham Library both on Beckenham Road.

The extension of the Aldersmead Road Conservation Area includes parts of Kings Hall Road and Cator Park, and Cator Park School on Lennard Road. It incorporates an additional 94 residential properties within a conservation which is characterised by Victorian and Edwardian housing. The Shortlands Road Conservation Area has been extended slightly to consolidate the area boundary at the junction with Church Road and Shortlands Road and give protection to 1 Beckenham Grove, a prominently located Victorian house of some character.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• All of the proposals have been endorsed by the Council's Development Control Committee and there has been a period of public consultation in each instance.
• For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020-8461-7670 or Doug Black, Principal Conservations Officer, on 020 8461-7532 or e-mail: andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.