On 9 Nov 2006 11:13:44 -0800 Ian wrote :
Do you think that Merton College, Oxford (to choose an example at
random) should be able to do anything it likes to its buildings?

I don't know the building but probably not. However it would
probably be judged to be in the finest 1%? 2%? of buildings in the
country and on that basis special protection is arguably justified.

According to LB Camden website "A conservation area is an area of
special architectural or historic interest, the character or
appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance."
and more than 50% of the borough is in a CA. When more than 50% is
special ISTM that the word has been seriously devalued.

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk