What is a Conservation Area

What is a Conservation Area?

A Conservation Area can be a battlefield, a public park or designed landscape, but most contain groups of buildings extending over areas of a village, town or city. They vary in size and style reflecting Scotland’s diverse built heritage, but they are all:

“areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.”

S.61 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997

Stirling Town and Royal Park Conservation Area

Kings Park Conservation Area

Cambuskenneth Conservation Area

Why do we have them and what do they protect?

We have grassroots campaigners to thank for our Conservation Areas today. These pioneers established the principles that our built heritage has value to people; their aesthetics and social history create a unique sense of place which residents cherish and want to retain.

In 1964, June Hargreaves, a York Town Planner, wrote Historic Buildings: Problems of their Preservation. She proposed the creation of Conservation Areas which would protect the heritage and identity of historic towns. The Civic Amenities Act was passed in 1967, and in September of that year, the first Conservation Area was created in Stamford, Lincolnshire. In 1968, Eaglesham became Scotland’s first Conservation Area.

How many Conservation Areas are there in Stirling, and in Scotland?

There are over 600 Conservation Area in Scotland and 11 Conservation Areas within the Stirling City boundary.

How can I find out more?

As well as visiting our exhibition, you can find out more about Conservation areas here:

• Guide to conservation areas in Scotland 
• Conservation areas | Stirling Council – you can download PDF maps of each Conservation Area here.
• Planning guidance | Stirling Council – if you scroll down this page, you can download the individual Conservation Area Appraisals for the whole of the Stirling Local Authority area. These documents are full of interesting historical information and images.

Avenues to the Past: Stirling’s Historic Streets

Our exhibition, which opens on 12^th February at The Smith, celebrates the historic avenues and streets of Stirling which are located within our Conservation Areas.

Find out more