Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural and historic interest worthy of preservation or enhancement. They were introduced under the Civic Amenities Act 1967.

In Wales and England, the current law concerning Conservation Areas is the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Section 69 of the Act gives local planning authorities the power to designate as Conservation Areas.

Conservation Areas are subject to special planning controls in order to protect their unique character. It means that certain works and development on properties within Conservation Areas will require planning consent from the local planning authority. This could include the use of various types of cladding, the addition of dormer window or satellite dishes.

Within the Blaenavon World Heritage Site there are two Conservation Areas. These are the Cwmavon Conservation Area and the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area, both designated by the Torfaen Borough Council Local Planning Authority in 1984 under section 277 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (as amended).

Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area

The original boundary of the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation incorporated the historic urban centre between Broad Street, Church Road, Castle Street and Blaenavon Ironworks. It was extended in 2011 to include Phillips Street and Queen Street, and again in 2017 to incorporate Cross Street, George Street, Rhydynos Street, Market Street, Ashfield Houses and Hill Street, as well as St. Peter’s Churchyard.

Torfaen County Borough Council has produced the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan 2017-2022.

Cwmavon Conservation Area

The Cwmavon Conservation Area focuses on Cwmavon Road and Shop Road. It includes the former Westlakes Brewery, Forge Row, Cwmavon House, Rose Cottages and the old rail and tramroad routes.

Torfaen County Borough Council has produced the Cwmavon Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan to inform the ongoing management of the site’s character.