NEW conservation areas could be created in the city if plans are approved.

Park Avenue in Barbourne, which is home to a number of examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture which illustrate the northern suburban extension of the city in the late 19th century, would become a designated conservation area if approved by city council planners.

If approved, the boundary for the conservation area would take in all of Park Avenue, the eastern side of Park View Terrace, the bowling green in Redcliffe Street and the playing field in Sabrina Avenue.

The idea to designate Park Avenue as a conservation area was put forward by councillors in early 2017 in response to concerns by residents over the loss of some of the historical buildings.

If the plan is approved by the city council’s planning committee on Thursday (October 18), a six-week public consultation would be launched taking place between November and December – the results of which would be put together in a report in time for a meeting of the planning committee in February 2019.

To become a conservation area, the space must be of “architectural or historic interest” of which “the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.”

As a conservation area, any proposed changes to any of the buildings would be put under far greater scrutiny.

The area would be served with an 'article 4 direction' which seeks to address certain alterations and extensions - which could usually be carried out without planning permission - which may appear small on their own but could cumulatively over time spoil the architectural and historical character as well as the special interest in the area.

That means many of the small-scale changes to houses which owners take for granted and do without planning permission – such as gates, fences, chimneys and porches – would then require consent from the council.

It does not completely stop a homeowner making any changes but requires them to seek permission from the council.

In separate plans, an ‘article 4 direction’ would also be served to the existing Shrubbery Avenue conservation area which was first designated in 1993.

Worcester City Council has been reassessing each of its conservation areas to make sure details are up-to-date for planning decision-makers.

Park Avenue would join Shrubbery Avenue and the 17 other conservation areas in Worcester, the earliest of which was the Britannia Square which was designated in 1969.

It would be the first area of the city to receive conservation status since the Battenhall Villas in 2006.