CONSERVATION Areas in the St Albans District will be coming under scrutiny as part of a nationwide English Heritage survey. The body which protects and promotes the country s historic environment has launched the survey in an attempt to assess the conditi

CONSERVATION Areas in the St Albans District will be coming under scrutiny as part of a nationwide English Heritage survey.

The body which protects and promotes the country's historic environment has launched the survey in an attempt to assess the condition of England's most cherished places.

There are 18 Conservation Areas in the St Albans District and the council's Conservation and Design Team will be responsible for filling in a questionnaire for each space.

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said that this was their first national survey and added: "Thanks to help from hundreds of local authority conservation officers all over the country, this survey will give us a true picture of the condition of these important historic places."

He added: "There is also a lot that residents can do themselves and we will be providing local groups with information and advice about how they can support Conservation Officers in their tireless work."

The results of the national census will be announced in June and, shortly afterwards, English Heritage will launch a campaign to get local residents involved in the maintenance of nearby conservation areas.

To receive information on the campaign, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/conservationareas