Conservation Area Advisory Committees

What is a CAAC?

The establishment of Conservation Area Advisory Committees is promoted by the Government in Planning Policy Guidance Note: PPG15 as good practice in securing the delivery of high quality conservation objectives in new developments in or adjoining conservation areas. There is an increased emphasis in public consultation and involvement in the planning process, and this is aided by the formation of advisory amenity groups to actively participate in the planning process.

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to have CAACs. Those that do have them derive value from their inputs. Others choose not to have any. CAACS provide for the involvement of national amenity societies, independent historical, architectural and planning expertise, local residents and businesses, and local civic, historical and amenity societies.

Although CAACS are encouraged by central government, there is no national detailed guidance on the form that CAACs should take; how they are organised and operate, or on the role of authorities in supporting such groups.

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What does a CAAC do?

Conservation Area Advisory Committees can assist the Council in the formulation of policies and guidance for their conservation area and also act as a continuing source of advice on planning issues affecting their area.

All applications for new development and for alterations and extensions to existing buildings are considered by the Council’s Planning Development Control Service. In determining these applications planning officers and Planning Committee members can benefit greatly from the local knowledge that can be gained from observations and recommendations provided by active local Conservation Area Advisory Committees.

The main part played by a CAAC in the planning process is to provide a local focus on design, conservation and heritage matters. Typically CAACs make observations on how new applications for planning permission, listed building consent and conservation area consent affect their conservation area and relay these observations to the planning development control team for their consideration in the assessment of the application.

The CAAC may also make representations on applications to carry out works to trees within their conservation area or recommend the serving of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO); it can recommend buildings for statutory listing by contacting English Heritage, assist in the review of the council’s register of local listed buildings of merit and make consultation comments on the contents of draft Conservation Area Character Appraisals and other draft planning policies on which the Council is seeking comments.

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CAAC Contact Information

The following are Haringey CAAC details:

Highgate (HCAAC) Established 1979
It has a Planning Sub-Committee that meets every 3 weeks.
Chair: Enid Allen 020 8340 1901

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Muswell Hill (MHCAAC) Established 1978
Usually meets monthly.
Chair: John Crompton johnn10@btinternet.com

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Hornsey & Crouch End (H& CECAAC) Established 1985
Usually meets monthly, at the Old Schoolhouse, Tottenham Lane, N8.
Chair: Bob Maltz bobmaltz@blueyonder.co.uk - 020 8348 0653
Secretary: Marian Janes marianjanes@blueyonder.co.uk - 020 8432 2917

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Tottenham (TCAAC) Re-established 2007
Meets every two months. Annual Report available on request.
Chair:Matthew Bradby Mattbradby@hotmail.com - 020 8352 2354
Secretary: Joyce Rosser jrosser@lineone.net - 020 8347 7684

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Alexandra Park & Palace (APPCAAC) Re-established 2006
Meets when appropriate, usually at the Old Schoolhouse, Hornsey Historical Society, Tottenham Lane N8.
Chairman: Colin Marr colin.marr@blueyonder.co.uk - 020 8883 9069

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Noel Park (NPCAAC) Established 2009
Meets at Shropshire Hall, Gladstone Avenue.
Secretary: Rachella Sinclair noelpark.preservation@gmail.com - 020 8351 3969

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