There are 10 conservation areas in Harlow, which we have protected for their special architectural or historic interest.
- Churchgate Street conservation area 1969 - amended 2025 (pdf)
- Harlow Garden Village Estate conservation area 2013 (pdf)
- Harlow Mill and Old Road North conservation area 1998 (pdf)
- Harlowbury conservation area 1994 (pdf)
- Mark Hall North conservation area 1987 - amended 2022 (pdf)
- Netteswellbury conservation area 1986 (pdf)
- Old Harlow conservation area 1969 - amended 1994 (pdf)
- Puffers Green conservation area 1995 (pdf)
- Town Park Netteswell Cross conservation area 1993 (pdf)
- Tye Green conservation area 1999 (pdf)
Character appraisals and management plans
Conservation area character appraisals help both the council and our residents understand the history of an area and why it is special. They help shape future developments and planning policies, as well as giving residents an idea of what enhancements could be made.
Conservation area management plans help identify issues affecting the area and how they can be managed. They look at opportunities to manage and enhance the area’s character and review boundaries.
- Churchgate Street conservation area character appraisal and management proposals (pdf)
- Churchgate Street conservation area consultation responses (pdf)
- Old Harlow conservation area character appraisal (pdf)
- Old Harlow conservation area management plan (pdf)
- Harlow Garden Village Estate conservation area character appraisal (pdf)
- Harlow Garden Village Estate conservation area management plan (pdf)
- Old Harlow and Harlow Garden Village Estate - public consultation statement (pdf)
- Mark Hall North conservation area character appraisal and management proposals (pdf)
- Mark Hall North conservation area consultation responses (pdf)
- Mark Hall North management plan and guidance (pdf)
Management of Churchgate Street conservation area
In September 2024 we consulted on a character appraisal and management proposals for Churchgate Street conservation area.
The proposals included an Article 4 Direction, conservation area boundary revision and publication of a management plan and guidance document.
The finalised character appraisal and management proposals, adopted revised area boundary map and responses schedule for the consultation on these can be viewed above.
One of the proposals was to introduce an Article 4 direction for the area. The direction means that planning permission would be needed to make certain changes to a house, to ensure that changes are positive and sympathetic to the historic character of Churchgate Street.
On 3 March 2025, the we drafted the direction and it is due come into force on 4 March 2026.
We are now consulting on the direction, along with a draft management plan and guidance document. This document will assist residents making planning applications for changes covered by the direction (porches. for example). It also identifies features within the conservation area which could be improved, such as signage and seating, and how these could be improved.
- Article 4 direction - including map (pdf)
- Notice of making a direction (pdf)
- Draft management plan and guidance (pdf)
We are sending letters to all properties in the Churchgate Street conservation area to advise them about the consultation.
The consultation opens on Thursday 6 March and closes at 5pm on Thursday 17 April 2025.
You can send your comments by email to myharlow@harlow.gov.uk or in writing to: Forward Planning, Civic Centre, Water Gardens, Harlow, CM20 1WG.
We are holding public drop-in exhibitions, where council officers will be in attendance, at St. Mary’s Church, Churchgate Street, Harlow, CM17 0JT, on:
- Thursday 20 March 2025 from 6:30pm to 8pm (in the Side Hall)
- Tuesday 25 March 2025 from 10am to 11:30am (back of Church main space)
We will consider all representations in deciding whether to confirm the direction. We may not be able to consider comments we receive after the consultation closes. The consultation documents can also be viewed in Harlow Central Library, Old Harlow Library and the Civic Centre during normal opening hours.
If you respond to the consultation, you give consent to the council to hold and process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation. Your name, organisation and comments may be available for others to view at the council offices and on the council website.
Planning permission in conservation areas
If you apply for planning permission, you should bear in mind that we will need to make sure that any development does not harm the special character of the area.
You need to get conservation area consent from us before demolishing any building or part of a building in a conservation area.
Article 4 directions are in place in some areas. These mean you will need to apply for planning permission before carrying out certain types of changes which would normally be covered by permitted development rights. You can find information on our Article 4 directions page.
If you want to carry out works to a tree in a conservation area, you need to notify us 6 weeks before you plan to start work.