Conservation and Planning Group

The Conservation and Planning Group was one of the founding groups within the Clevedon Civic Society when constituted in 1970. The aims have remained basically the same in the last 30 years – to follow our axiom of “to preserve the best and improve the rest”.

We act in parallel with Our Environment Group, with our main interest being developments and renovation of buildings within the boundaries of Clevedon and in this respect we inspect all planning applications and make our comments and recommendations to the District Council.

We pay particular attention to the applications within the two Conservation Areas in Clevedon, which are at risk from inappropriate and sometimes spurious developments, as these could prejudice the attributes and charm of our Victorian townscape.

The Group were instrumental in the foundation of the first Conservation Area with a survey and report prepared by members for The Beach and Copse Road areas, resulting in it's formation in 1974. We have also been closely involved with the District Council of the development of the Town Centre.

Each year we seek nominations from Society members and judge these to make an Environment Award and Commendations for developments which enhance the town for the benefit of residents and visitors. Recently, these have included, most notably, the restoration of The Pier, but we have also made awards to a block of flats in the grounds of a listed building, the restoration of private houses and landscaping projects.

We are concerned with ever more financial constraints on the District Council, resulting in the reduction of staff and amalgamation of duties within the Planning and Environment Department; also the lack of sufficient funds to carry out proposed enhancement schemes, that we shall have to be even more watchful to preserve the best and improve the rest in Clevedon.

John Tranter - Chairman, Conservation & Planning Group
(email: conservation or planning)