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Proposed Conservation Area – Potters Bar Darkes Lane (West)

Hertsmere Borough Council has recently published proposals for the new Potters Bar Darkes Lane (West) Conservation Area in line with its statutory duties. We want to know what you think about the proposed area.

Where did these plans come from?

The plans for improvement have come about as a result of the council’s statutory responsibility to review its Conservation Areas from time to time. Our conservation consultants, the Built Environment Advisory and Management Service (BEAMS), part of the Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust, carried out an assessment of a possible Conservation Area. This assessment looked at the reasons why Potters Bar Darkes Lane (West) Conservation Area should be protected as a historically important part of the borough and the ways in which its historic character could be preserved and enhanced for future generations. The process of doing this was to look at the character of the area and buildings in and around The Avenue, Heath Drive, Manor Way and Mountway, taking into account the good, neutral and bad features of the area. It was as a result of this analysis that the designation and management measures were identified.

How will the designation affect householders in the area?

  1. There would be restriction on the types of development on houses that can take place, that would normally have been ‘permitted development’ and not require planning permission;
  2. The designation of a Conservation Area is a material consideration in determining planning applications; and
  3. There would be additional protection for all trees in the Conservation Area, where notification would need to be given to the Council where there are proposed works to trees.

We feel that the Darkes Lane (West) Conservation Area has the potential to remain an attractive and well-preserved area, but there is always room for improvement and we feel that we can achieve this by designating the area, and in the future reviewing the way it is managed. For example, as well as tightening enforcement controls, the council could explore the scope for additional controls on particularly important buildings within the Conservation Area.

But before we make any changes we would like your input. Are you aware of any other important areas for improvement? Do you have any innovative ideas for managing the Conservation Area? Or do you feel that the changes we are suggesting deal with issues that are not really problematic?

Where can I see the document that proposes the new Conservation Area?

The consultation documents can be viewed at Civic Offices and the Wyllyotts Centre, where we will have a small display, during the consultation period.

You can also download the document here:

Additional consultation documents are available to download here:

How can I give my views?

Council officers will be at the United Reformed Church on Darkes Lane to answer questions and discuss plans on 1 November 2011 at 3pm-8pm, and 4 November 2011 from 9am-4pm

You can also give your views in writing.
Please write to us at:
Policy and Transport Team
Planning and Building Control Unit
Hertsmere Borough Council
Civic Offices
Elstree Way
Borehamwood
Herts. WD6 1WA
Or email us on:
local.plan@hertsmere.gov.uk

Please note that the closing date for responses is 23 November 2011 at 5pm.

What will happen after consultation?

Once we have received all your comments we will consider these and make any adjustments considered necessary. We will notify you of any designations that affect your property, and our response to any suggestions will be reported to the council’s Executive Committee. A decision is expected in the winter.