Description: The seventeen Conservation Areas in North Lincolnshire range from semi-rural settlements like Epworth to market towns such as Crowle and Barton upon Humber.

Issue: Issues associated with Conservation Area appraisals are the cost and resource implications for local authorities to carry out these assessments. Public consultation and public awareness is also seen as a key part of this process and this presents a number of challenges in itself.

Strategy: North Lincolnshire recruited an additional member of staff for one year to complete this high priority task. Public consultation was written into the process – and was done in a proactive and innovative way.  Along with leafleting of houses and businesses in the Conservation Areas, key community groups have been contacted and information stalls have been set up at events like farmer’s markets, to gain feedback and explain the process. Effective use has also been made of the media to raise awareness, with press releases and other events.

Outcome: English Heritage and PPG 15 advocate the production of Conservation Area Appraisals, but only 27% of Yorkshire’s conservation areas have them.  It may be that part of this problem is that Local authorities need additional resourcing to carry out this important work. The work carried out by North Lincolnshire Unitary Authority demonstrates that public involvement in Conservation Area appraisals is feasible and a valuable part of the process, particularly when done in imaginative ways.