Over the past few months, our team has been out and about across East Lindsey, getting to know the 14 conservation areas we are currently assessing for East Lindsey District Council.
And we’ve been delighted by the response.
Since launching the project, we’ve received a wealth of comments and local knowledge from residents, parish councils, history groups, heritage organisations and other community members. Many people have taken the time to email us with their thoughts, while others have invited us to meetings, shown us around their villages or sat down with us to talk about the places they know and care about.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has taken part. Conservation areas are about much more than buildings – they are about the character, history and identity of the places people live in. Local knowledge is therefore an invaluable part of understanding what makes each area special, as well as the challenges it faces.
We’ve now completed the walkover surveys in all but Louth, with our team spending time exploring streets, buildings, spaces, views, boundaries and the wider setting of each conservation area. The surveys are helping us to build up a detailed picture of how these places have developed and what contributes to their character today. We’re also using historic maps, archive material, photographs and the knowledge shared with us by local people to build the evidence base.
The response so far has raised some fascinating themes – from the importance of trees, hedgerows, open spaces and historic views, to concerns about development, building maintenance, shopfronts, signage and the consistency of conservation controls. In several places, people have also highlighted opportunities to make much more of their local heritage through walking routes, interpretation, community events and heritage research.
Have your say on the conservation areas
This autumn we’ll be carrying out a final round of informal consultations before the draft Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans are finalised. We’ll be returning to some of the communities we’ve already spoken to and continuing conversations where we need a little more local insight. Details of where you can take part can be found here.
So, if you have already contacted us – thank you! And if you haven’t yet had the chance to get involved, keep an eye on the project page and local communications for details of the autumn consultation opportunities.
We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation and, together with local communities, helping to shape a better understanding of the heritage and character of East Lindsey’s conservation areas.
