Have your say on the Birchington Conservation Area Appraisal

Thanet residents are invited to give their feedback on the draft Birchington Conservation Area Appraisal. Launching on Monday 11 March 2024, the opportunity for public engagement runs until 5pm on Monday 22 April.

The Birchington Conservation Area Appraisal is the culmination of a project to identify what should be preserved and enhanced in the Birchington Conservation Area. It also sets out proposals for how it can be managed in the future.

Once finalised, the appraisal will be used, together with other planning policy documents, to guide decisions on future development in the conservation area. 

Members of the public are invited to view the draft appraisal document, and to give their feedback via an online survey. It should take around 10 minutes to complete. The survey will be open until 5pm on Monday 22 April 2024. 

A printed copy of the Conservation Area Appraisal document is available to view at Thanet District Council Offices in Cecil Street, Margate. Residents can also request a paper copy by emailing Josie.frazer@thanet.gov.uk

Birchington Parish Council is holding a public drop-in session at Birchington Library, 17 Alpha Rd, Birchington CT7 9EG on Wednesday 17 April, between 11am and 7.30pm. Local people are invited to drop in to find out more about the conservation area appraisal. There will be the opportunity to talk to the team that developed the document, and complete the survey. 

Councillor Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said: “The appraisal sets out what is special about Birchington’s Conservation Area. It will be an important tool in ensuring that the council makes informed plans for Birchington, protecting the town’s historical significance, character and appearance.

“Once finalised, the appraisal document will provide a practical tool for residents, council officers and planning applicants, with constructive advice for building conservation and sustainable planning.

“The Conservation Area is so important to the future development of Birchington, as well as to its history, and I would urge everyone with an interest in the village to complete the survey.”

Following the public engagement, a report will be presented to the council’s Cabinet with the results. A report will be presented to Full Council later in the year, for a decision on whether to adopt the document as council policy.

For further information, to view the Conservation Area Appraisal documents and to complete the survey, please visit the council’s website.