South Lanarkshire Council

Anyone with an interest in preserving and enhancing the conservation area are being encouraged to attend a public display staged by the council at New Lanark's Institute Building (River Room) on 23-24 February between 10am and 4pm each day.

The consultation exercise will enable the council's Planning Service to carry out a review of issues including the boundaries of the conservation area, significant buildings, features of townscape interest and important views.

It will also look again at permitted development rights for a number of minor householder and non-householder developments which may in the future require the submission of a planning application.

Councillor Graham Scott, the chair of the council's Planning Committee, said: "Local Authorities have a statutory duty to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of their conservation areas and, from time to time, prepare and publish proposals for doing so.

"The New Lanark and Falls of Clyde Conservation Area is hugely significant to South Lanarkshire and indeed to the country as whole, as it not only features some amazing history and scenery but incorporates a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"With this in mind we have been working closely with Historic Scotland and the New Lanark Trust to take this process forward in a way which is both sympathetic and effective and will complement the Management Plan currently being prepared by both groups for the site."

The official Public Consultation period will last until Friday 1 April and will be open to residents, community groups and any other interested parties. The Scottish Government will also be consulted.

The council's Planning Committee recently gave the go-ahead for the publication of a draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal and appraisal documents which have been prepared in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines to define the key elements of the conservation area, help provide guidance for future developments and identify opportunities for improvement or enhancement which can be used for the planning application process.

A copy of the draft document can be downloaded from the Conservation areas page or can be viewed throughout the consultation period at the New Lanark Trust Offices, Council Offices, South Vennel, Lanark and also Montrose Crescent, Hamilton.

For more information on the consultation or the draft appraisal document please contact the council's Conservation Planning Officer, Angus Clark, on 01698 455939.