Stoke Newington's Conservation Areas include Abney Park Cemetery, East and West Reservoirs on Green Lanes, Clissold Park and environs, Church Street and the High Street and the northern part of the high Street. Newington Green also has its own conservation area.

A recent English Heritage survey has discovered that many of the 9000 conservation areas in the UK, including Stoke Newington, are at threat because of the increasing number of vacant properties, poor planning decisions and general deterioration. Given that Hackney residents spend 84p out of every £1 outside the Borough, it is crucial that N16's infrastructure, cultural environment and local economy are at least maintained and that the spending trend is reversed. To do this, the conservation areas must be protected and enhanced.

The Stoke Newington Conservation Area Advisory Committee have recently published a leaflet and launched a website to offer advice on this. Among other things they stress the importance of minimizing shopfront infringements and alterations to domestic properties without planning permission, and the special protected status of trees. Unauthorised alterations can lead to expensive enforcement actions and fines.

For more info on this important initiative - which affects us all - contact the Committee on 020 8802 9110, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the website stokenewington.tumblr.com.

We all have a responsibility for looking after our unique little parish.