Stockport Council has recently completed a borough wide review of conservation areas which resulted in the designation of 12 new conservation areas. There are currently 37 conservation areas in Stockport.

Following a recent public consultation, special planning controls have been introduced to protect the special character and appearance of conservation areas. These controls are known as Article 4 Directions and are used to protect small but important original details such as windows, doors and front gardens in designated conservation areas.

The Council has produced plans to explain the special qualities of each conservation area. These will be used to safeguard and guide any future changes to these areas. Each conservation area has been assessed individually and three quarters of the areas have approved management plans.

Norman Hudson, Stockport Council's Service Director for Regeneration and Leisure, said: "Stockport has an enviable track record in key areas of conservation work and, based on its recent achievements, Stockport is regarded as a borough that is serious and forward thinking about its heritage."

Examples of conservation-led regeneration in Stockport include the Market Underbanks and Hillgate Conservation Areas. These projects have been very successful in breathing new life into historic areas which, only ten years ago, were in serious physical and economic decline.

Over £30million has been invested in these areas and this work has been nationally recognised. The Council has won numerous awards for these conservation-led developments.

More information on Stockport's conservation areas, including Stockport's Conservation & Heritage Strategy, can be found at their website.