Fishbourne Conservation Area

Planning protection and the preservation of village character

Parts of Fishbourne, particularly Old Fishbourne and the area around the church, are within a designated conservation area. This provides additional planning protection to preserve the character and appearance of the historic village, controlling alterations to buildings, the felling of trees, and the design of new development.

The conservation area designation means that planning applications within its boundary are assessed against stricter criteria than in undesignated areas. Proposed changes that would harm the character or appearance of the conservation area are likely to be refused. This applies to alterations to the exterior of buildings, demolition, new construction, and even changes to boundary walls and fences.

For homeowners within the conservation area, the designation has practical implications. Permitted development rights are restricted, meaning that extensions, loft conversions, and other alterations that would normally not require planning permission may require an application. The painting of a house exterior, the replacement of windows, or the removal of a tree may all require consent.

The benefit of the conservation area is that it protects the character that makes Old Fishbourne attractive and historically interesting. Without it, piecemeal alterations and unsympathetic development could erode the quality that draws people to the area. The designation is a trade-off between individual freedom and collective benefit.

Chichester District Council manages the conservation area and has published a character appraisal that describes the features that give the area its special interest. This document is available on the council's website and is useful for anyone planning work on a property within the boundary.