Regulations · Glossary
Conservation Area
A designated area of architectural or historic interest where permitted development rights are restricted to protect the area's character.
A Conservation Area is designated by the local planning authority under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Cornwall has 145+ designated Conservation Areas, including most central Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, St Ives, Padstow, Fowey, Mevagissey, Marazion, Helston, Bodmin and many smaller villages.
Within a Conservation Area, permitted development rights are restricted: solar panels visible from a public highway typically require planning permission, ASHPs on principal elevations need consent, and any external alteration must respect the character of the area. Pre-application advice from Cornwall Council Conservation Officer is recommended.
CCS has installed dozens of heat pumps and solar arrays in Cornwall conservation areas — Truro Tregolls Road, St Ives Downalong, Falmouth Bar Road and Padstow harbour-front. We handle the planning application as part of the package. See our conservation areas page.