Fears over changes to conservation map

By Laurence Cawley Thursday, January 26, 2012
8:46 AM

HERITAGE campaigners have voiced their fears after a raft of proposed changes to conservation areas in a west Suffolk town were put forward.

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Conservation areas are those deemed worthy of preservation or enhancement because of their special architectural or historic interest and get extra protection under planning law.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council has unveiled planned changes to the Bury St Edmunds town centre and Victoria Street conservation areas, which include the loss of The Martins, The Vinefields and St James’ Court and Middle School which lie opposite the Abbey Gardens, Sextons Meadows and a strip of St Andrew’s Street North including the library.

Alan Jary, chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Society, which speaks out on conservation matters in the town, said: “We are concerned and we shall be asking for a bit of a delay on this to look at the details and to have proper talks with the council’s conservation officer.

“We are particularly concerned about the land by the Abbey Gardens because it is such an important site. We would like to have a meeting to discuss the detail.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The council has a statutory duty to review the conservation areas within its district and to amend the boundaries as required.

“The need to review and update the two Bury St Edmunds boundaries arose from carrying out related work on Article 4 Directions in the two conservation areas. The council has not had any contact from the Bury Society regarding an extension of time for consideration of the report. Approval is being requested to go out to public consultation and the Bury St Edmunds Society will be contacted directly as part of this consultation process and will have eight weeks to comment once it commences.

“The fact that plans are already published ahead of the start of formal consultation gives the society extra time to consider them. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the proposals with the society.”