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Local authorities are required to designate as Conservation Areas 'any area of Architectural or Historic Interest, the character of appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. Conservation Areas are normally town or village centres though other areas can be designated. Denbighshire has 34 Conservation Areas. Plans and character appraisals are available to be viewed at the Planning Office in Denbigh at Caledfryn, Smithfield Road or telephone 01824 706727.

In practice, Conservation Area status means that:-

Applications for planning permission will be assessed, amongst other things, on the impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area.

The substantial demolition of a building in a Conservation Area will require a separate permission known as 'Conservation Area Consent'. This will not normally be granted unless an acceptable form of redevelopment has been agreed.

Six weeks' notice to the local planning authority is required before trees within Conservation Areas may be cut down, topped or lopped.

In some cases, the local planning authority may withdraw permitted development rights within Conservation Areas. This means that some minor works to dwelling houses will require planning permission where previously they did not. This is the case in Denbigh, for example, where the level of grant aid warrants this added control.