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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Many conservation areas 'at risk' | Many conservation areas 'at risk' |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| More than 700 conservation areas in England are at risk of neglect, decay or damaging changes, English Heritage has warned. | More than 700 conservation areas in England are at risk of neglect, decay or damaging changes, English Heritage has warned. |
| Its survey of local authorities found plastic windows and doors, poorly maintained roads and street clutter were the biggest threats to the areas. | Its survey of local authorities found plastic windows and doors, poorly maintained roads and street clutter were the biggest threats to the areas. |
| English Heritage is urging more to be done to save these places of special character which make England distinct. | English Heritage is urging more to be done to save these places of special character which make England distinct. |
| It wants residents, local groups and councils to work together more closely. | It wants residents, local groups and councils to work together more closely. |
| In total there are 9,300 conservation areas in England from historic towns and villages and 1930 suburbs to rural idylls and industrial workers' cottages. | In total there are 9,300 conservation areas in England from historic towns and villages and 1930 suburbs to rural idylls and industrial workers' cottages. |
| Each is designated by the local council for protection so its character and appearance can be preserved for local heritage. | Each is designated by the local council for protection so its character and appearance can be preserved for local heritage. |
| But English Heritage's first ever conservation area survey found poorly considered home improvements and ill-thought out council work were putting 727 of these areas at risk. | But English Heritage's first ever conservation area survey found poorly considered home improvements and ill-thought out council work were putting 727 of these areas at risk. |
| All local authorities in England were asked about the conditions of their conservation areas, and 75% of them completed the questionnaire. | All local authorities in England were asked about the conditions of their conservation areas, and 75% of them completed the questionnaire. |
| 'National pride' | 'National pride' |
| Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Millions of us live in, work in, pass through or visit conservation areas. They are... the local heritage which gives England its distinctiveness. | Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Millions of us live in, work in, pass through or visit conservation areas. They are... the local heritage which gives England its distinctiveness. |
| "These are difficult economic times but our research shows that conservation areas do not need time-consuming or costly measures, just prioritising as places people cherish, the commitment of the whole council and good-management by residents and councils alike. | "These are difficult economic times but our research shows that conservation areas do not need time-consuming or costly measures, just prioritising as places people cherish, the commitment of the whole council and good-management by residents and councils alike. |
| CONSERVATION AREA THREATS Plastic windows and door: 83% of areas affectedPoor roads and pavements: 60%Street clutter: 45%Loss of garden walls, fences, hedges: 43%Unsightly satellite dishes: 38%Traffic calming measures: 36%Alterations to front, roofs, chimneys: 34%Unsympathetic extensions: 31%Advertisements: 23%Neglected green spaces: 18% English Heritage | CONSERVATION AREA THREATS Plastic windows and door: 83% of areas affectedPoor roads and pavements: 60%Street clutter: 45%Loss of garden walls, fences, hedges: 43%Unsightly satellite dishes: 38%Traffic calming measures: 36%Alterations to front, roofs, chimneys: 34%Unsympathetic extensions: 31%Advertisements: 23%Neglected green spaces: 18% English Heritage |
| "Well-cared for, they encourage good neighbourliness, give a boost to the local economy and will continue to be a source of national pride and joy for generations to come." | "Well-cared for, they encourage good neighbourliness, give a boost to the local economy and will continue to be a source of national pride and joy for generations to come." |
| He said he wanted to see councils make more use of their powers to protect "small but important original details such as windows, doors and front gardens". | He said he wanted to see councils make more use of their powers to protect "small but important original details such as windows, doors and front gardens". |
| "Lose these and slowly but inevitably you lose the character and the history that made the area special in the first place," he said. | "Lose these and slowly but inevitably you lose the character and the history that made the area special in the first place," he said. |
| He called for council departments, including highways and environmental services, and health and education teams, to work together closely to take better care of public areas. | He called for council departments, including highways and environmental services, and health and education teams, to work together closely to take better care of public areas. |
| He also urged residents to play a greater role by commenting on planning applications, helping prepare lists of local historic buildings or doing street clutter audits. | He also urged residents to play a greater role by commenting on planning applications, helping prepare lists of local historic buildings or doing street clutter audits. |
| To coincide with publication of the English Heritage survey results, awards have been given to local authorities which have done the best work on conservation areas. | To coincide with publication of the English Heritage survey results, awards have been given to local authorities which have done the best work on conservation areas. |
| The overall winner was Stockton, in north-east England. Regional winners were King's Lynn and west Norfolk, South Derbyshire, Islington in London, West Lancashire, Southampton, west Dorset, Wolverhampton and Richmondshire. | The overall winner was Stockton, in north-east England. Regional winners were King's Lynn and west Norfolk, South Derbyshire, Islington in London, West Lancashire, Southampton, west Dorset, Wolverhampton and Richmondshire. |
| Should local authorities make more use of powers to protect conservation areas? Are poorly considered home improvements blighting your local area? Send us your comments using the form below: | Should local authorities make more use of powers to protect conservation areas? Are poorly considered home improvements blighting your local area? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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