Titchfield Conservation Area

Protecting the village's historic character

The Titchfield Conservation Area was designated in 1969 to protect the architectural and historic character of the village centre. The conservation area covers the core of the settlement, including The Square, South Street, the church, and the surrounding streets, and it has been instrumental in preserving the quality of the village's built environment.

Conservation area designation brings additional planning controls that go beyond those that apply in normal residential areas. Within the conservation area, planning permission is required for the demolition of buildings, for certain alterations to building exteriors, and for work that would affect the character or appearance of the area. Trees within the conservation area are also protected, and anyone wishing to carry out work on a tree must give notice to the planning authority.

The practical effect of the conservation area has been to maintain the architectural coherence of the village centre. The timber-framed buildings on South Street, the Georgian frontages, the Victorian shopfronts, and the medieval church are all protected from unsympathetic alteration or demolition. New development within the area must be designed to respect the existing character, which has prevented the kind of incongruous modern insertions that have affected some other historic settlements.

The conservation area is managed by Fareham Borough Council, which has produced a Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for Titchfield. This document describes the special character of the area, identifies the key buildings and features that contribute to that character, and sets out policies for managing change.

For residents living within the conservation area, the designation brings responsibilities as well as protections. Alterations to properties may require additional consent, and the choice of materials, colours, and finishes for external work must be sympathetic to the historic character. In practice, most residents value the conservation area and accept the constraints as a reasonable price for preserving the quality of the village.

The conservation area is one of the key tools that has enabled Titchfield to maintain its identity in the face of the development pressures that have transformed many other settlements in southern England. Without it, the village might have lost the distinctive character that makes it one of the most attractive settlements in Hampshire.