Durham City Conservation Area boundary areas and character appraisals

Conservation Area Character Appraisals

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal is a document that helps people to understand why the area is designated as a conservation area, why it is special, and what contributes to its unique character and appearance.

The appraisals also identifies elements and issues that detract from the areas character and appearance so that they can be addressed in the future and highlights any opportunities for improving and enhancing the area.

The appraisals cover elements such as:

• the area's topography (the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area and setting)
• landscape layout
• street patterns
• historic development
• architectural styles, materials and detailing
• publicly accessible areas (the public realm) and visual experiences
• the area's non-designated heritage assets
• local green assets
• things that add visual appeal (positive townscape contributors)

The appraisal documents for each of the 7 conservation boundary areas, will be a valuable tool that will help to shape future developments. They will be used to make planning decisions. They reinforce our policy objectives of promoting, protecting and enhancing the historic environment of Durham City.

Durham City Conservation Area Character Appraisals and boundary maps

We want your views on the 7 appraisal documents and the updated boundaries.

Crossgate Conservation Area

Crossgate is part of the city’s medieval town plan established by 1250 known as the “old borough”. It is characterised by historic buildings from the Georgian and Victorian periods, spread over a distinctive hilly land form. The area grew up around the Church of St Margaret of Antioch and was connected to the peninsula when Bishop Flambard built Framwellgate Bridge in 1128.

Elvet Conservation Area

 Elvet is an ancient diverse place that was occupied before the arrival of the community of monks carrying the body of St Cuthbert on the peninsula in 995AD. Old Elvet is a grand spacious street with Georgian townhouses that contrast with Victorian properties and mid-20th century social housing at Whinny Hill. It includes the important historic green space at The Racecourse used as a sports ground since at least 1733.

Framwellgate Conservation Area

Framwellgate is significant as part of the city’s 19th and early 20th century expansion associated with the wider industrial heritage of the county developing as a result of the railway coming to Durham. It includes grid patterns of Victorian workers houses, terraces aspiring more to the middle classes, the medieval site at Crook Hall, and important historic green spaces such as the Victorian Wharton Park, and Flass Vale.

Gilesgate Conservation Area

Gilesgate is an ancient route that connected the cathedral priory with its farm estates at Sherburn and beyond. The buildings occupy a ridge line where two sides of the river valley meet. The main streets are Gilesgate and Claypath framed by Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian buildings with the village green a focal point. The area also includes the medieval Kepier Hospital site, and the impressive Victorian buildings at Hild and Bede College.

Hill Colleges Conservation Area

The Hill Colleges are unique within the city consisting of purpose built colleges that were part of the university’s post war expansion programme. They are of high architectural quality with boldness for the time by well-known architects, designed to embrace the landscape with views of the cathedral marking the universities original home on the peninsula.

Old Durham Conservation Area 

Old Durham is characterised by rural vernacular buildings set within a scenic open agricultural landscape. It include the 17th century pleasure grounds of Old Durham Gardens, a fine example of formal garden design developing over the centuries.

Peninsula and Riverbanks Conservation Area 

The peninsula is the foundation of the city that expanded out from it during the medieval period. Its crowning glory is the castle and cathedral of international significance and recognised around the world. It includes the Market Place, the historic commercial and civic core of the city, the historic commercial streets such as Saddler Street and Silver Street, North and South Bailey, Georgian in character with an academic air, The College, and the distinct natural environment of the riverbanks.

What happens next

All feedback will be considered and used to help us to develop the final appraisal documents for each conversation boundary area further before final adoption.

The closing date for comments is 15 September 2025.

Email letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk if you would like the information in an alternative format or would like further information. 

Alternatively, please email any additional comments or feedback outside of the remit of the survey, in response to this consultation directly to design.conservation@durham.gov.uk