Bristol City Council’s Urban Design & Conservation Team will be producing a Character Appraisal for the Clifton Conservation Area. A Character Appraisal is a document that outlines the significance and special interest of a Conservation Area; it details the features that make that specific area unique. It is one of the documents that guides and informs planning policy for an area.

To start the process, Conservation Officers will be holding a public meeting on Monday 7th December, 6:00pm – New Hall, Clifton High School, College Road, Clifton where there will be a brief presentation outlining the scope of the document and detailing how interested parties can get involved. A period of public consultation follows, when comments on issues officers may like to consider should be put forward and submitted in writing to Urban Design & Conservation, 2nd Floor Brunel House, St Georges Road, Bristol BS1 5UY or e-mail to conservation@bristol.gvo.uk. The public consultation period will close on Friday 15th January 2010.

Bristol currently has 33 Conservation Areas, and the city council has a statutory duty to review their character, special interest and boundaries.

Since 2006 the city council has committed to undertake a full review of Bristol’s existing 33 Conservation Areas, through the production of a Character Appraisal and set of Management Proposals for each area. Character Appraisals are a record of features that will inform sound decisions on the future management of the area.

To date, the following Character Appraisals have been adopted:

• Stokes Croft (adopted 12 October 2007)
• Kingsdown (adopted 31 March 2008)
• Portland Square (adopted 31 March 2008)
• Redcliffe (adopted 31 March 2008)
• Old Market (adopted 31 March 2008)
• St Michael’s Hill and Christmas Steps (adopted 14 January 2009)
• Montpelier (adopted 14 January 2009)
• City and Queen Square (adopted 14 January 2009)

Further information on the public consultation can be found on our conservation pages in the planning section.