Members of the public are invited to get involved in and find out more about the Durham City Conservation Area.
In support of that aim Durham County Council is hosting two drop in events for any local residents, business owners and other interested parties to come along to.
The purpose of these events is to explain more about the forthcoming boundary review and the process of undertaking a character appraisal. They will also highlight the importance of the city’s heritage.
The sessions are as below and experts from the council’s heritage landscape and design team will be on hand to answer questions from the public:
Friday 2 March from 2.30pm – 7pm at the Durham Town Hall
Tuesday 6 March from 2.30pm – 7pm at Waddington Street Church
The review is part of a continuing programme assessing all 93 conservation areas in the county and producing character appraisals to highlight their special interest.
The public information sessions will be followed by more detailed workshop sessions this summer which will form part of a formal public consultation process in advance of completion of a final draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal by the end of 2012.
Sandra Robertson, heritage landscape and design team leader, said: “The purpose of character appraisals is to make sure that the unique characteristics and important historic features of all of our conservation areas are better understood and preserved, while ensuring they provide communities with an environment which balances heritage and the demands of modern day life.
“We hope that local residents and business operators will take this opportunity to find out more and get involved.”