Aberdeen Council has called for a public consultation for the appraisal and management of conservation areas in the city.

Aberdeen has a number of historic buildings in its conservation areas, including the Georgian-engineered city centre to Victorian residential suburbs and coastal villages and the Council has said it is not only the buildings that are of architectural or historical interest in a conservation area, but the spaces around them. This includes streets, open spaces and the public realm.

The city has 11 conservation areas, but only five of them (Footdee, Old Aberdeen, Pitfodels, Rosemount and Westburn, and Union Street) have character appraisals. These identify what makes each area special and reviews their boundaries. None however, have a management plan.

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The Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plan is the first step in a comprehensive review of the areas which will lead to supplementary guidance being drawn up with the plan to protect and enhance the areas.

The new document will, among other things, provide guidance for the public and help developers to identify and formulate plans in the proposed areas.

The Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plan said: "We have had conservation areas in Aberdeen for over 40 years and some have stood the test of time better than others. Inevitably mistakes have been made and we want to learn from them. For the future we want to ensure that our conservation areas are those whose historic environment is the most worthy of protection and enhancement."

The draft document includes character appraisals for six conservation areas, with the other five conservation areas in Aberdeen due to be assessed shortly.

The six conservation areas appraised so far have some specific proposed amendments, including proposed boundary alterations for the Ferryhill conservation area and the proposed de-designation of the CoveBay conservation area.

As well as the character appraisals, a management plan which covers all of the conservation areas in the city and provides generic guidance to help secure their long-term viability has been developed.

Aberdeen City Council is inviting comments on the draft documents as part of a public consultation exercise. The six week consultation period runs until noon on 22 April.

(JP)