Conservation areas

Conservation areas are defined in law as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

We have 44 conservation areas which cover about half of the borough and there are a further two conservation areas in the north of the borough within the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) area which is a new local planning authority established by the Mayor of London.

Map of conservation areas in Hammersmith & Fulham (pdf)

Conservation area extensions and boundary amendments

Conservation area extensions and boundary amendments affecting 11 of our conservation areas were designated on 13 November 2018. The King Street (East) Conservation Area was also renamed Hammersmith Town Hall Conservation Area on the same day. Details of the changes are available using the links below:

Maps of boundary changes to conservation areas from 13 November 2018 (pdf)

Schedule of properties affected by boundary changes to conservation areas (pdf)

Conservation areas within the OPDC area

The Grand Union Canal Conservation Area was designated on 2 July 2002 by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. From 1 April 2015 part of the north of the borough has been located within the area of the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), which is a new local planning authority established by the Mayor of London. Designation and management of conservation areas within the OPDC area is now the responsibility of the OPDC, but transition arrangements have maintained the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area designation and its associated protections.

On 27 February 2017 the OPDC designated the Cumberland Park Factory Conservation Area on Scrubs Lane.

More details about the OPDC, the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area and the Cumberland Park Conservation Area can be found on the OPDC website.

Conservation area controls and applications for demolition works

Additional controls apply to development, significant demolition works, the display of advertisements and works to trees in conservation areas. Some permitted development rights are restricted and you have to apply for planning permission to carry out those works.

From 1 October 2013 as a result of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 the requirement to obtain conservation area consent for significant demolition works in a conservation area has been replaced with a requirement to obtain planning permission for demolition instead. This means that a separate conservation area consent application for significant demolition works will no longer be required since most proposals for significant demolition works in conservation areas will be now assessed as part of the planning application for redevelopment of a site.

The extent of demolition works should be clearly marked on the demolition plans submitted with the planning application and a heritage statement will usually be required to assess the impact of the proposed demolition and redevelopment on the significance of the conservation area.

If the demolition works are not being carried out in association with the provision of a replacement building or boundary treatment, a separate planning permission will be required for the demolition works. The demolition of a building or structure in a conservation area without our consent will remain a criminal offence. For further advice please contact the Urban Design and Conservation Team.

Conservation area character profiles and conservation area maps

Character profiles have been produced for around half of the borough's conservation areas, which describe the special interest, character and appearance of each conservation area. They also include broad design guidelines to help to preserve or enhance each conservation area, these support the design guidelines for all conservation areas which are are included in the Planning Guidance SPD. We are currently working on a programme to complete the remaining conservation area character profiles.

Adopted conservation area character profiles and conservation area maps are available to download using the links to each conservation area below. Please be aware that some conservation areas may have been extended since the character profiles were originally produced.

Contact us

To contact the Urban Design and Conservation Team please call 020 8753 1081 or email: planning@lbhf.gov.uk.

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