Commentary on Sections Part 4 — Conservation Areas Section 159 — Duty to formulate and publish proposals for preservation and enhancement of conservation areas
599.Subsection (1) of section 159 places a duty on planning authorities to prepare and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of their conservation areas from time to time. Although this establishes no fixed period for the preparation and publication of the proposals, Managing Conservation Areas in Wales (2017) sets out that it is considered best practice to undertake conservation area reviews on a five to ten year cycle.
600.Subsection (2) requires a public authority to submit such proposals to a public meeting in the conservation area (or as near to it as reasonably practicable). An authority might also undertake wider consultation and engagement, in the form of exhibitions, surveys and social media activity, to obtain community views on the proposals.