West Auckland Conservation Area

It lies 15 miles south west from the City of Durham, approximately 3 miles to the south west of Bishop Auckland.

West Auckland has Roman and medieval origins and a rich agricultural and industrial history. However today its interest lies predominantly in its historic village green and encircling traditional properties, together with its Victorian linear approaches to this historic centre. The buildings around the village green present an almost continuous unbroken frontage, providing a sense of enclosure.  Linear developments of late 19th and early 20th century terraced properties follow the main routeways into and out of the village centre, reflecting the later industrial expansion of the settlement. Its form, architecture and aesthetic appearance add to the richness of its character. 

The Conservation Area was designated in 1975, amended in 1993, and reviewed and extended in 2010. West Auckland has an Article 4 direction in place which means that formal Planning Permission is required for external alterations to elevations fronting a highway or an open space.

West Auckland Conservation Area Appraisal

To ensure County Durham's conservation areas are properly managed, we produce Conservation Area Character Appraisal documents that will help raise awareness of their special character and interest. The West Auckland Conservation Area Character Appraisal was formally adopted by our Cabinet on 20 January 2010 and recommends ways to improve and to manage change as well as providing an interesting history and snapshot of the area.