Leeds City Council may, after local consultation, designate areas of special character or appearance as conservation areas.
This brings some developments, including most demolition, under planning control. Some protection is also given to most trees.
There are 69 conservation areas spread throughout Leeds. A map showing their location is available for download along with maps of individual conservation areas.
They range from populous areas such as Headingley and Morley to smaller settlements such as Thorp Arch and Calverley Bridge. The largest is Roundhay, including as it does most of Roundhay Park, and the smallest are Queen Square and Woodhall Hills.
Conservation areas are not about preservation but about managing change in a way that protects the special character of the area. Development is essential to drive the engine of regeneration and to provide a contribution from our time to the building stock.
The council has begun to review all existing conservation areas to check their boundaries, to assess their special qualities and to set out information to help all those involved in their development.
The programme of areas to review is set by the Council's Area Committees. More details can be found on the conservation area appraisals page.
See also conservation area appraisals.