Have your say on the district’s conservation areas

Four areas of the district are undergoing conservation area reviews, and we want to hear your views on how we can preserve these special areas for future generations.

All councils must designate areas of special architectural or historic interest to help preserve or enhance the character of the area.

There are currently 29 conservation areas across the district. Following recent assessments, we are proposing two new conservation areas. One in Castleford town centre and one in Felkirk.

A conservation area preserves the whole character of the area, not just an individual building. It brings with it a number of planning controls, including:

• control over the demolition of buildings
• strengthened controls over minor development
• special provision for the protection of trees.

In addition, we have also produced Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans for two existing conservation areas - Horbury and Ossett. This review includes some amendments to the conservation area boundaries.

A six-week public consultation is now open and closes on Thursday 27 November 2025.

You can find out more and share your views at Current Planning Policy Consultations - Wakefield Council. Hard copies of the documents are also available for inspection from libraries at Horbury, Ossett, Castleford and Hemsworth or from reception at Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2EB.

Or contact us by email wdlp@wakefield.gov.uk or by post to:
Conservation Team,
Planning and Transportation,
Regeneration, Environment and Economic Growth,
Wakefield Council,
Wakefield One,
PO Box 700,
Burton Street,
Wakefield,
WF1 2EB
 
The final public meeting we are holding relates to the Castleford conservation area and is on Thursday 13 November at 6:15pm at Castleford Trinity Methodist Church, Powell, Street, Castleford, WF10 1EL. Please come along if you’d like to find out more.