As home to an exceptional historic environment—from internationally significant industrial heritage to the rich layers of character found across its towns and villages—our Built Heritage team is dedicated to protecting and enhancing these irreplaceable assets. We provide specialist advice at every stage of development to ensure that historic buildings, monuments, conservation areas and heritage landscapes continue to shape, enrich and inspire the borough for generations to come.

Our Conservation Officers play a central role in this work. They offer expert guidance on proposals affecting heritage assets and actively monitor the condition of listed buildings and historic sites. Where necessary, they make full use of statutory powers, issuing repairs notices, urgent works notices, and taking enforcement action to address unauthorised works or neglect that puts the historic environment at risk.

The team also leads on the preparation and review of Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans (CAAMPs), helping to define what makes each conservation area special and setting out clear strategies for its future care. This includes undertaking boundary reviews and identifying opportunities for enhancement.

Collaboration sits at the heart of this process. We work closely with Parish Councils, local historical and civic societies, community groups, Historic England, and national amenity societies, ensuring that local knowledge and specialist expertise inform our assessments. Community engagement is integral, giving residents and stakeholders an active role in understanding, valuing and shaping the places they call home.

Together, this combined advisory, regulatory and partnership driven approach ensures that the borough’s unique historic environment is protected, celebrated and stewarded for future generations.