Conservation and heritage assets

There are 31 designated conservation areas in the London Borough of Hillingdon. They range from old village centres and planned residential estates to canal-side buildings and historic industrial areas.

The character of conservation areas includes a range of contributing factors such as the design and architectural quality of the buildings, their materials and setting, streetscape, pattern of development, townscape, public and private open spaces, trees and landscape.

Designation

Conservation Areas are designated under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Hillingdon Council has an adopted criteria for designating Conservation Areas and Areas of Special Local Character (PDF, 13 KB). The council has a rolling programme of historic asset designation. It will continue to review conservation areas and may, from time to time, extend existing areas or designate new ones. 

The council will consult all residents, stakeholders, local groups and other interested parties prior to designation. The designation would be determined by the council's Cabinet based on the outcome of the consultation and officers' recommendations.

Living in conservation areas

Within conservation areas some 'permitted development' rights (that is, permission granted automatically for certain works to single family dwelling houses) are restricted. Therefore planning permission is likely to be required to alter, extend and/or demolish buildings within designated areas.
 
Planning applications for development in conservation areas should be supported by a heritage statement. Where they exist, conservation area appraisals and management plans should be taken into account when designing proposals. The assessment of all applications will take into account national and local planning policies. 

Trees and other landscape features may contribute to the special character and appearance of a conservation area. Find more information in relation to carrying out works on trees in conservation areas.

Find further guidance on building in conservation areas on the Historic England website. 

Demolitions

When situated within a conservation area, planning permission is required for 'relevant demolition' of a building (with a volume of 115 cubic metres or more) or to take down any wall, gate or fence (less than 1 metre along a highway, or 2 metres or more elsewhere). In general, permission will not be granted for the demolition of any buildings or structures that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area.

It's an offence to carry out 'relevant demolition' without planning permission or compliance with relevant conditions of a planning consent, of which you can be prosecuted.

To report unauthorised works in conservation areas, visit our Planning enforcement page.

Conservation areas in Hillingdon

Browse the full list below or view them on our Heritage asset map.

The council has completed 5 conservation area appraisals and 2 management plans, which can be downloaded from the list below.

Conservation Area Advisory Panels

Advisory panels are a voluntary group comprising architects, residents associations, historical groups and amenity societies with an interest in protecting the historic environment.

Hillingdon's panels:

• Uxbridge Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Harefield Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Ruislip Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Eastcote Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Canal Locks Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Ickenham Village Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Greenway Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Hayes, Harlington and Heathrow Villages Conservation Area Advisory Panel
• Hillingdon Conservation Area Advisory Panel

For further information regarding Hillingdon's conservation area advisory panels, please contact the conservation team at heritageconservation@hillingdon.gov.uk