A Conservation Area is an area that has 'special architectural or historic interest' and where it is important that this special character is preserved or enhanced.
The special character of each conservation area does not come from the quality of the buildings alone. Equally important are features such as the layout of roads and paths, grouping of buildings (townscape), the materials used, landscape features and the quality of public and private spaces.
There are 25 declared conservation areas throughout Sefton, each reflecting the variety of building styles and environments exhibited within its borders. There are currently 6 Conservation Areas that are on the national Heritage at Risk Register, they are Christ Church, Waterloo, Lord Street, Southport, North Meols, Southport, Promenade Southport, Waterloo Park, Waterloo and West Birkdale, Southport. Allowing these areas on the national heritage at risk register allows the Council to focus efforts towards these areas and also gives us a better chance of receiving external funding, where applicable.
The boundaries of Sefton's Conservation Areas can be viewed using SIMON.
Conservation Area Appraisals
Government guidance advises that in order to protect the qualities of conservation areas, there must be a detailed assessment of the elements that create their special character. The appraisals form the basis for local planning policies and development control decisions. We are currently producing appraisals for each of our Conservation Areas.
The draft and adopted conservation area appraisals that have been completed so far, are available to view in the links below.
Conservation Area Advisory Leaflets
We have produced advisory leaflets for the majority of our conservation areas, which give information on their history and character. These leaflets also provide more detailed advice on how to ensure any alterations or renovations are sympathetic and in keeping with the character of the conservation area.
The Conservation Area advisory leaflets are available to view in the links below:
Birkdale Park Conservation Area was designated in 2000 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2008.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them.
In order to fulfill these obligations an Appraisal has been produced for Birkdale Park Conservation Area and will be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
A Public Consultation event was held on the 7th November 2007. This was followed by a period of consultation which ended on Friday 7th December 2007. During this time, the public were invited to make comments relating to the contents of the draft document.
Following public consultation, the appraisal was adopted by the Council in March 2008. The recommendation for amendments to the conservation area boundary were adopted on 27th March 2008 and are shown on the map below and in the advisory leaflet. The appraisal will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
The next step is to create a Management Plan which will set out policies to protect and enhance the conservation area.
A reference copy of the adopted document is available for you to read in Southport and Birkdale Libraries.
Birkdale Village Conservation Area was designated in 1981. It contains examples of high quality Victorian and Edwardian architecture and influences of Neo-Classical, Neo-Queen Anne, Flemish and Tudor/Mediaeval styles.
The railway station and concentration of civic buildings which were built in this part of Birkdale led to the development of shops and banks in the late Victorian and Edwardian period. It is important to note that the "Village" did not develop from an earlier settlement, rather its development was a result of late incidental additions to the growth of the suburb.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. In order to fulfill these obligations, a Draft Character Appraisal was produced for Birkdale Village Conservation Area. Public engagement is an important part of formulating any appraisal and a full consultation was carried out.
Following the consultation the appraisal was adopted on 7th July 2011.
Blundellsands Park Conservation Area was designated in October 1982 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2008.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. In order to fulfill these obligations, a Character Appraisal has been produced for Blundellsands Park Conservation Area.
Following public consultation, the appraisal was adopted by the Council on 27th March 2008. It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
The next step is to create a Management Plan which will set out policies to protect and enhance the conservation area.
| Blundellsands Conservation Area Appraisal |  (pdf 5.75MB) |
| Map of Blundellsands Park conservation area boundary | (pdf 748KB) |
| Blundellsands Park Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 890KB) |
Carr Houses Conservation Area was designated in April 1991.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. Following public consultation, the Conservation Area Appraisal including Management Plan was adopted by the Council on 18th January 2024.
It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
| Carr Houses Conservation Area Appraisal And Management Plan | (pdf 11.83MB) |
| Carr Houses Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 383KB) |
Christchurch Conservation Area was designated in 2004 and has an appraisal, adopted in 2007, a further update of this appraisal was adopted in April 2016. Christ Church contains many fine examples of Victorian architecture. These are predominantly characterised by Italianate style villas constructed in red brick with stone dressings set in spacious grounds. The properties on Great Georges Road, Alexandra Road and Victoria Road are all examples of this. Smaller terraced properties along Walmer Road and Stanley Road complement the larger villas and have typical Victorian details, such as timber sash windows, brick and stone detailing.
The area which is now designated as a Conservation Area was used as agricultural land up until the mid-19th Century, with Potters Barn being erected in 1841, followed by Ennis Cottage and Brunswick Parade. Christ church is Grade II* listed and forms a significant architectural focal point within the area.
The construction of the railway, which first connected this area to Southport, then to Liverpool, increased its attractiveness, particularly for the middle classes moving from the City. In 1861 the construction of the Town Hall, followed by schools and further churches confirmed the significance of the area.
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Churchtown Village Conservation Area was designated in November 1973 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2009.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. In order to fulfill these obligations a Conservation Area Character Appraisal has been produced for Churchtown Village and North Meols Conservation Areas in Southport.
Following public consultation, the appraisal was adopted by the Council on 7th May 2009. All comments received from the public consultation were welcomed and some have been incorporated into the final document. The Appraisal will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
The next step is to create a Management Plan which will set out policies to protect and enhance the conservation area.
Crosby Hall Conservation Area was designated February 1985.
| Crosby Hall And Little Crosby Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 391KB) |
Damfield Lane Conservation Area was designated in October 1991.
| Damfield Lane Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 617KB) |
| Derby Park Conservation Area Appraisal | (pdf 7.59MB) |
| Derby Park Conservation Area Appraisal Appendices | (pdf 6.62MB) |
| Derby Park Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 1.07MB) |
Gloucester Road Conservation Area was designated in January 1990 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2008.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them.
Green Lane Conservation Area is located to the north of Formby, in Freshfield, and is centred around the cricket ground. It includes a number of Listed Buildings, such as May Cottage which is a cruck-framed house dating from the 17th century and St Peter's Church, dated 1746. Green Lane Conservation Area was designated in October 1983.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of our conservation areas. In order to fulfil this obligation, and following public consultation, the Conservation Area Appraisal including Management Plan was adopted by the Council on 16th November 2023.
It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
| Green Lane Formby Conservation Area Appraisal | (pdf 13.08MB) |
| Green Lane Formby Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 530KB) |
Hesketh Road Conservation Area was designated in October 1991.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. Following public consultation, the Conservation Area Appraisal including Management Plan was adopted by the Council on 19th February 2024.
| Hesketh Road Conservation Area Appraisal And Managment Plan | (pdf 10.84MB) |
| Hesketh Road Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet 2024 | (pdf 481KB) |
| Hesketh Road Conservation Area Boundary | (pdf 622KB) |
Homer Green Conservation Area was designated in April 1991.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. Following public consultation, the Conservation Area Appraisal including Management Plan was adopted by the Council on 18th January 2024.
It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
| Homer Green Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan | (pdf 6.43MB) |
| Homer Green Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 238KB) |
Ince Blundell Park Conservation Area was designated in April 1981.
| Ince Blundell Park Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 362KB) |
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Little Crosby Conservation Area was designated in June 1974.
| Crosby Hall And Little Crosby Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 391KB) |
Lord Street Conservation Area was designated in 1973.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas. In order to fulfil this obligation, the original Conservation Area Appraisal for Lord Street was adopted in 2005. This was reviewed in 2017 and following public consultation, the new Conservation Area Appraisal was formally adopted on 16th November 2017.
A combined Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan was then adopted on 24th May 2019. This provides a background planning document for the determination of planning applications. This document was formulated and approved in conjunction with the Southport Townscape Heritage project requirements.
| Lord Street Conservation Area New Boundary - Nov 2017 | (pdf 2.6MB) |
| Lord Street CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 - Chapters 1 To 4 | (pdf 6.71MB) |
| Lord Street CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 - Chapters 5 To 7 | (pdf 4.54MB) |
| Lord Street CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 - Chapters 8 To 11 | (pdf 4.36MB) |
| Appendices to Lord Street CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 | (pdf 5.2MB) |
| Southport Verandah Guidance | (pdf 804KB) |
| Lord Street Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 201KB) |
| Lord Street And Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan | (pdf 7.19MB) |
Lunt Village Conservation Area was designated in April 1991.
In March 2007 a Conservation Area Appraisal was formally adopted by the Council, in January 2024 this was updated along with the inclusion of a Management Plan.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. Following public consultation, the current Conservation Area Appraisal including Management Plan was adopted by the Council on 18th January 2024.
It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
| Lunt Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan | (pdf 7.11MB) |
| Map of Lunt Village Conservation Area boundary | (pdf 1.52MB) |
| Lunt Village Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 366KB) |
Lydiate Hall and Chapel Conservation Area was designated in May 1991.
| Lydiate Hall And Chapel Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 409KB) |
Moor Park Conservation Area was designated in July 1987 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2008.
The Government requires that from time to time, we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them. In order to fulfill these obligations an Appraisal has been produced for Moor Park Conservation Area in Crosby.
Following public consultation, this appraisal was adopted by the Council on 27th March 2008. It will now be used as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction
One of the recommendations of the appraisal was to bring into force an Article 4 (2) Direction to control the extent of work which can be carried out without the need for planning permission.
After careful consideration of the comments returned from the questionnaire, the Council agreed to make a Direction on the 14th January 2010. This was confirmed on the 8th July 2010.
The next step is to create a Management Plan which will set out policies to protect and enhance the conservation area.
| Moor Park Conservation Area Appraisal | (pdf 2.34MB) |
| Map of Moor Park Conservation Area | (pdf 215KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction | (pdf 136KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction advertisement | (pdf 16KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction covering letter | (pdf 59KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction residents information | (pdf 820KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction residents questionnaire | (pdf 35KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction advertisement of confirmation | (pdf 16KB) |
| Moor Park Article 4 (2) Direction second letter to residents | (pdf 26KB) |
| Moor Park Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 385KB) |
Promenade Conservation Area was designated in November 1990.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of our conservation areas. In order to fulfil this obligation, the original Conservation Area Appraisal for the Promenade was adopted in 2008. This was then reviewed in 2017 and following public consultation, the new Conservation Area Appraisal was formally adopted on 16th November 2017.
A combined Lord Street and Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan was then adopted on 24th May 2019. A background planning document was created to use in consideration for future planning applications. This document was formulated and approved in conjunction with the Southport Townscape Heritage project requirements.
| Promenade Conservation Area New Boundary - Nov 2017 | (pdf 2.87MB) |
| Promenade CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 - Chapters 1 To 5 | (pdf 6.74MB) |
| Promenade CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 - Chapters 6 To 10 | (pdf 5.77MB) |
| Appendices To Promenade CA Appraisal - Nov 2017 | (pdf 3.88MB) |
| Promenade Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 548KB) |
| Lord Street And Promenade Conservation Area Management Plan | (pdf 7.19MB) |
Sefton Village Conservation Area was designated in October 1974. It is one of Sefton's oldest conservation areas and contains St Helen's Church, a Grade l listed building.
The conservation area includes the Scheduled Ancient monument of Sefton Old Hall moated site and fishponds. The remains of Sefton Old Hall are visible as a raised island surrounded by a moat and earthworks. In 1956-61, limited excavations revealed that a drawbridge would have provided access to the island. The site is thought to date from 1372 when the Hall was built by the Molyneux family.
In addition to containing a number of Grade ll listed buildings, Sefton Village was also the site of a Mill, which although rebuilt several times originally dated back to the 15th century. The mill was demolished during World War ll although some of the structure remains preserved underground.
In 1983 an Article 4 Direction was approved by the Secretary of State. This improves protection of the special character and appearance of the conservation area by increasing the range of work which requires planning permission.
| Sefton Village Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 302KB) |
| Sefton Village Article 4(1) Direction | (pdf 570KB) |
Waterloo Conservation Area was designated in July 1972 and extended in 2000 to include the gardens which front the terraces.
| Waterloo Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 644KB) |
Waterloo Park Conservation Area was designated in 1991. A Conservation Area Appraisal was adopted in April 2016 including a change to the boundary. The area contains several fine examples of Victorian and early Edwardian architecture, and in particular, villas in classical Italianate style. There are also influences of Gothic, Flemish, Queen Anne and Arts and Crafts styles within the area.
The land which now forms Waterloo Park, was in agricultural use up until the mid-19th Century. It was the development of Seafield House and Stone House which stimulated plans for a wider informal park development for several large villas set around a large lake. Although there are many fine buildings within the Conservation Area, St. Mary’s Church in early English Gothic style, on Park Road, is the only listed building.
| Waterloo Park Conservation Area Appraisal - April 2016 | (pdf 4.36MB) |
| Waterloo Park Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 489KB) |
West Birkdale Conservation Area was designated in October 1988 and the boundary was revised following the Appraisal in 2008.
The Government requires that from time to time we formulate and review the boundaries of our Conservation Areas, and publish proposals to preserve and enhance them.
In order to fulfill these obligations an Appraisal has been produced for West Birkdale Conservation Area.
A Public Consultation event was held on the 7th November 2007, followed by a period of consultation where the public were invited to make comments relating to the contents of the draft document.
Following public consultation, amendments based on comments have been incorporated into the final document. The appraisal was adopted by the Council in March 2008, and is a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications.
The next step is to create a Management Plan which will set out policies to protect and enhance the conservation area.
| West Birkdale Conservation Area Appraisal | (pdf 7.2MB) |
| Map showing the adopted Conservation Area boundaries in Birkdale | (pdf 1.41MB) |
| West Birkdale Conservation Area Advisory Leaflet | (pdf 617KB) |