It shall be the duty of a local planning authority from time to time to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of any parts of their area which are conservation areas.

Proposals under this section shall be submitted for consideration to a public meeting in the area to which they relate.

The local planning authority shall have regard to any views concerning the proposals expressed by persons attending the meeting.

In the exercise, with respect to any buildings or other land in a conservation area, of any F1functions under or by virtue of any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2), special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.

The provisions referred to in subsection (1) are the planning Acts and Part I of the M1Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 F2and sections 70 and 73 of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

In subsection (2), references to provisions of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 include references to those provisions as they have effect by virtue of section 118(1) of the Housing Act 1996.

Nothing in this section applies in relation to neighbourhood development orders.

The Secretary of State may prescribe requirements as to publicity for applications for planning permission in cases where the local planning authority think that the development of land would affect the character or appearance of a conservation area.

In this section references to planning permission do not include references to planning permissions falling within section 73A of the principal Act.