Poots launches new design guide for Magee Conservation Area

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today launched a Design Guide for the Magee Conservation Area which provides advice for residents and prospective developers.

The Minister said: “The designation of the Magee Conservation Area in June 2006 recognised the distinctive qualities of this area of special architectural interest. It was an acknowledgement of the City’s unique built heritage and a further indication of my Department’s continuing commitment to conservation.

“The Guide is an essential support mechanism for the designation and seeks to promote a high standard of design, which will help conserve or enhance the individual character and appearance of the Magee Conservation Area and protect the special quality of its townscape for the benefit of future generations.

“It also seeks to promote conservation-led regeneration which can make a contribution to economic vitality and growth by offering an attractive living and working environment.”

Minister Poots also launched ‘Conservation Information Leaflet (No.15): Conservation Areas in Northern Ireland'. The leaflet aims to promote a greater understanding of the role and importance of Conservation Areas throughout Northern Ireland.

The Minister added: “The leaflet explains the importance of Conservation Areas and the legal framework leading to their designation.

“It provides information on policy considerations to be taken into account in the determination of planning applications and the implications of Conservation Area designation for property owners. It also contains information and advice on the advantages of designation and how we all can play a part in ensuring that our conservation areas are conserved or enhanced.”

The Design Guide, Information leaflet and Planning Policy Statements can be viewed on the Planning Service website

Notes to editors

1. On 10 June 2004 at the Annual Conference of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, which was held in Londonderry, the Department announced a review of the City’s existing Conservation Areas. The Magee Conservation Area was designated on 6 June 2006 following statutory consultation with Derry City Council and the Historic Buildings Council.
2. The Department published an interim document for the newly designated Magee Conservation Area in June 2006. Since then Planning Service has used this document in discharging its planning functions in relation to the Conservation Area.
3. A draft of the Magee Design Guide was published for public consultation. The Department received a number of responses to this consultation, which ended on 22 March 2010.
4. This detailed guide follows the English Heritage approach to conservation.
5. The Design Guide supplements the Department’s regional planning policies for Conservation Areas currently set out in Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage and Planning Policy Statement 7: Quality Residential Environments (including its addenda). Conservation Information leaflet No.15 applies to all conservation areas throughout Northern Ireland.
6. Copies of the Guide (£10) and Information leaflet (free) can also be obtained from the Londonderry Divisional Planning Office, Orchard House, Foyle Street, Londonderry, BT48 6AT. Tel: 028 7131 9900.
7. All media enquires should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.