Introduction This leaflet explains the purpose of conservation areas and the implication of their designation for residents, property owners and the Council. It provides you with a plan of the area and a brief history and appraisal. Information Leaflet UPPER GORDON ROAD TO CHURCH HILL, CAMBERLEY CONSERVATION AREA The Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill, Camberley Conservation Area was designated in October 1989. The boundaries were subsequently revised to include parts of Church Hill in April 2004. What is a Conservation Area? A conservation area is defined in section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The character of conservation areas can vary considerably but they are usually historic areas centred on listed buildings. However, it is the overall character of the area that is recognised as important, not just individual buildings. All the elements which combine to give an area its special interest are important including the street pattern, open spaces, trees, mix of uses, as well as groups of attractive buildings and characteristic materials. There are at present nine conservation areas designated in Surrey Heath. These include village centres such as Bagshot, urban areas such as Upper Gordon Road/Upper Park Road, Camberley, and buildings set within historic grounds such as Bagshot Park and the former RMA Staff College, Camberley. leading for tomorrow
The Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill, Camberley Conservation Area This area, to the south east of the town centre, is characterised by large, late 19 th century and early 20 th century houses. It is an important representation of the growth of Camberley during this period and constitutes one of the few remaining unspoilt Victorian/Edwardian environments close to the town centre. Upper Gordon Road (north side) This side of the road comprises a row of detached and semidetached Victorian/Edwardian houses of varied design and in varying stages of preservation. This group of buildings are recognised for the part they play in demonstrating the pattern of development referred to previously. Upper Park Road (south side) This area of Upper Park Road is characterised by a number of very large detached and semi-detached Victorian houses (pre1899) of varied design in substantial, well-treed gardens. They are largely unaltered and form a pleasant group in an arcadian setting. Chartley, on the south side of the road is a little later in date, being 1906, and is a very attractive Arts and Crafts style house, a style of great importance within Surrey. Upper Gordon Road (south side) This side largely comprises five pairs of good Victorian semidetached villas, dated circa 1897/98. Collectively, they represent a good example of this period of Camberley s growth and are relatively rare in the local scene, by virtue of their uniform design and largely unaltered appearance. Their setting has been a little spoilt by modern development outside the conservation area at the east end, and built prior to its designation. Upper Park Road (north side) and 1 Upper Gordon Road Here can be seen a number of very large, detached and semidetached Victorian/Edwardian villas of varied design. Largely unaltered, although some have been adversely affected by modernisation/alterations. The buildings form a pleasant group in largely well landscaped front gardens and form a backdrop to the houses in Upper Gordon Road. Chartley Branksome Park Road (south side) and Church Hill The properties known as Dolphin Hill, Farley Hill and The Yarrows, together with modern houses set within their original plot boundaries, are additions to the conservation area. Dolphin Hill and Farley Hill, built in 1899, together with The Yarrows built 1896-1901, are large attractive properties built in 1899, set in large plots, although reduced in size by modern development.
The Character of the Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill, Camberley Conservation Area This conservation area has a high proportion of good Edwardian villas that retain most of their original character. There are five aspects which are particularly important to the preservation of this conservation area: The original pattern of development with clear plot boundaries. The pleasant residential nature of the environment. The architectural details of the buildings. The boundary walls and hedges. The arcadian feel of the east end of the conservation area. Pattern of Development The pattern of development as given by plot sizes, boundaries and densities is another very important factor in the appearance and character of this conservation area. Whilst there are no listed buildings, or landmarks providing important views, some buildings have been locally listed. The importance of this area lies in the group value of the buildings, rather than in their individual architectural merit. The conservation area comprises houses of four standards. Those closest to the railway are the smallest; those on the up hill side of Upper Gordon Road are larger; those facing Upper Park Road are larger still; and on the opposite side of the road and Branksome Park Road/Church Hill area, the houses had lodges and stood in substantial grounds. This hierarchy is important in establishing the character of the conservation area. It derives from the quality and scale of the houses and the amount of space around them. The change in scale is relatively subtle and it would be easy for this to be lost through infill and loss of the open space around the buildings. The open spaces of the gardens are as important as the buildings in establishing the character of the area. Residential nature The area still retains its original residential character, although some properties have now been converted to other uses, such as care homes, and densities have increased through conversion to flats. It is important that the original character be retained, through the careful control of uses for the buildings, the impact of new uses on the surrounding gardens, such as car parking requirements, and features such as signage, which where necessary, should be discreet. Architectural Details There is a high proportion of good Victorian and Edwardian villas and houses which still retain most of their original character, with important architectural features such as decorative wood detailing and red brick pointing to the red brick houses. Boundary walls and hedges There are, unfortunately, few original garden walls remaining, but the design of walls, especially in Upper Gordon Road is important and requires careful consideration on the part of residents, if the area is to retain its character. Trees Trees, hedges and shrubs are important to the street scene of major parts of this conservation area, but especially the east end of Upper Park Road. Within Upper Gordon Road, Branksome Park Road and Church Hill they soften the urban landscape and contribute to the pleasant character. The often generous spacing between buildings also provides many attractive views through.
Design of New Development To protect the special character of the conservation area, new buildings, extensions and alterations to buildings should be in keeping with the character of the area. Particularly high standards of design will be required and special attention should be paid to matters such as scale, height, massing, choice of materials and relationships to open spaces and adjoining plots and buildings. Full planning applications must be submitted, so that the details of the proposal and its impact on adjoining buildings can be properly assessed. Additional information such as elevations of adjacent buildings and examples of materials and colours may be required. The Surrey Heath Local Plan 2000 aims to encourage high standards of design within conservation areas and to make sure that new development, including changes of use, preserves or enhances the character of the area and its architectural tradition. In the Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill Conservation Area, this means that new development should: Respect the established scale of the streetscene; Use traditional materials appropriate to the conservation area; Ensure that doors, window frames and other joinery be of painted timber and reflect the style and proportion of existing properties; Respect the traditional roofscape in regard to features such as chimneys, gables and tiles; Respect the historic grain and plot sizes of the area and preserve established building lines and views. Special Controls in a Conservation Area? The Council has powers to control changes in conservation areas that do not apply elsewhere, essentially over demolition, some minor development and the protection of trees. The purpose is not to prevent any new development but to better manage any changes so that the special character of the area is not undermined. Demolition of Buildings Within conservation areas, conservation area consent is required to demolish buildings measuring more than 115m³ or gates, walls and fences over one metre in height which abut a highway, including a public footpath or bridleway, or two metres in height in other cases. Demolition of buildings is taken to mean the total or substantial destruction of a building or structure. This does not mean that buildings may not be demolished but rather that the loss of buildings or features which contribute significantly to the character of the area will be strongly resisted. There may be scope for the redevelopment of properties which presently detract from the character of the area. Minor Development In order to protect the special character and appearance of our conservation areas, there are a number of cases where the level of permitted development allowed is more restricted than in nondesignated areas. For example, planning permission may be needed to carry out the following works to houses in conservation areas: Any extension to a house which is greater than 50m³ or 10% of the total original house size, or that exceeds 115m³; The addition of any cladding to the exterior of the building, for example, stone, tiles or timber;
An addition or alteration to the roof, which would result in a material alteration to the shape of the roof, for example inserting dormer windows; The erection of any building with a cubic content greater than 10m³ within the curtilage of your dwelling; The installation of a satellite dish on a chimney, wall or roof slope, which fronts a highway, or on a building which exceeds 15 metres in height. You should contact the planning department for advice before carrying out any work to properties within a conservation area. Protection of Trees Trees can make an important contribution to the character and appearance of conservation areas. Before any works are carried out to such trees, (including lopping, topping or felling of a tree with a diameter of 7.5cm or more at 1.5 metres above ground level), six weeks written notice must be given to the planning authority. This gives the Council time to decide if a Tree Preservation Order should be placed on the trees. Where a tree is subject to a Tree Preservation Order, permission of the Council is needed before any works to the tree can be undertaken. Locally Listed Buildings There are no statutory listed buildings, but the conservation area contains 16 locally listed buildings: Lochnabo, 27 Upper Gordon Road 7-25 (odd) Upper Gordon Road 39 and 41 Upper Park Road Heatherbank, Church Hill (No 9 and flats A and B) Heatherbank Cottage, 11 Church Hill Church Hill Cottage and Garden Wall, 13 Church Hill The importance of the area is in the group value of the buildings and the locally listed buildings provide much of the local character of the Borough, are buildings of particular merit within the conservation area, and should be protected and retained whenever possible. Works to these locally listed buildings require only the normal planning permission, as applicable in conservation areas. In considering such applications however, special regard will be given to retaining the character and appearance of the building. Advertisements and Shop Fronts Not all of Surrey Heath s conservation areas contain commercial premises but for those that do, advertisement signs and shop fronts should be of traditional materials and of an appropriate scale and detail to respect the character of the area. Enforcement Action Building works carried out without the necessary planning permission, conservation area consent or listed building consent may be subject to enforcement. This can involve an owner in considerable unnecessary expenditure. You are therefore strongly advised to check the planning requirements before commencing works.
Grants Subject to financial resources being available, discretionary grants may be available from the Surrey Historic Buildings Trust for certain repairs to both listed and un-listed buildings in conservation areas. Further details may be obtained through Surrey County Council, telephone 020 8541 9419. Enhancement Schemes As well as ensuring the preservation of the character of a conservation area through the control of development, it is a duty of the Council to prepare and publish proposals for the enhancement of these areas. Schemes have been undertaken in the past, notably in Bagshot, and in other areas under the Village and Local Centre Strategy. Building Regulations The actual construction of most types of alterations and extensions is covered by Building Regulations, and will probably require Specific Building Regulation approval. Please contact Building Control on 01276 707223 for further advice. Map of Upper Gordon Road to Church Hill, Camberley Conservation Area
Further Information Further information is available from: Head of Built Environment Surrey Heath Borough Council Surrey Heath House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3HD Contacts: Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings Trees Principal Planner (Conservation) Planning Policy and Conservation Team Tel. 01276 707245 Aboricultural Officer Tel. 01276 707240 Application forms (Planning, Conservation Area Consent and Listed Building Consent) Contact Centre Tel. 01276 707100 Surrey Heath Borough Council Surrey Heath House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3HD Main Switchboard: (01276) 707100 January 2006