20 October 2008: We want your views on new committees for conservation areas

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Lewes District Council is asking local people what they think about setting up a number of Conservation Area Advisory Committees (CAACs) in the District. The plan is to set up a number of pilot committees for a trial period of three years.

These committees would provide an opportunity for residents, associations, businesses, local town and village societies and town partnerships to become involved as well as amenity societies and professional bodies. Local knowledge and expertise on conservation matters could be harnessed and add value to the planning process.

Peter Gardiner, Lead Councillor for Planning said “I know that some people feel that there should be more scrutiny of planning matters in conservation areas. I believe this proposal could give that additional scrutiny and, at the same time, help our consideration of individual planning applications, and review of planning strategy.

The key things about CAACs are that most are independent of the local planning authority. They have a broadly based membership with sufficient knowledge and expertise on conservation area matters to add real value to the planning process. If the proposal is well received, we hope to proceed early in the New Year”.

There are 35 conservation areas within the District and it is envisaged that a handful of pilot Conservation Area Advisory Committees will be set up in the New Year following a public consultation process that has just started. People and organisations are to be given the opportunity to respond to the idea of Conservation Area Advisory Committees by completing a short questionnaire and returning it to Peter Gardiner no later than 30 November 2008.

For more information please visit our website www.lewes.gov.uk/environment/13825.asp