Conservation Areas Advisory Committees (CAACs)

• Our borough has the benefit of three independent Conservation Areas Advisory Committees (CAACs) that provide a way for local groups and residents with an interest in heritage to assist us in protecting and enhancing Kingston's conservation areas.
• CAAC membership comprises of people with an interest in the built environment and its heritage, and is drawn from local amenity societies, residents' associations, independent historical, architectural and planning experts, and local residents and businesses.
• There is no statutory duty for us to operate or facilitate CAACs, nor is there national guidance on how these should be organised, operated or on the composition of their membership. CAACs are independent of the Council and anyone can stand for election.

What does a CAAC do?

• The main part played by a CAAC in the planning process is to provide a local focus and local knowledge in respect of conservation and heritage matters.
• The work of the CAACs focuses on commenting upon planning and conservation area consent applications. In determining applications in conservation areas, planning officers and planning committee members benefit from the local knowledge that can be gained from the observations and comments provided by the local CAACs. To read the CAAC's comments under specific planning application please see – Planning applications (Please note: a planning application reference number or property address will be needed to search the planning application database.)
• CAAC also comment on our proposals within conservation areas for public works (other than general maintenance) to the highway, public open spaces and other Council managed space.
• They can also recommend buildings for statutory listing by contacting English Heritage, assist in reviews of our register of local listed buildings of merit, and make comments on the contents of draft conservation area character appraisals and other draft planning policies.

Get involved and contact

Join a committee

CAACs are actively seeking members to join their committee.

If you are interested in joining your local CAAC please request membership from the relevant Committee Chair. Contact details can be found in this section.

Meeting dates locations

On hold for the monment

• The CAAC does not fall within the definition of a committee or sub-committee as contained in Section 102 of the Local Government Act 1972. Therefore meetings of the CAAC are not automatically open to the public and the press.
• However, in order to ensure transparency, CAAC meetings in Kingston shall be open to the public for observation only, with no right to speak.

Agendas and minutes

CAAC agendas and minutes are available on request from the CAACs. To receive copies please contact the relevant CAAC Chair.

Contact information

Surbiton CAAC

Chair: David Twaite
Contact: scaac.chair@gmail.com

Kingston Town CAAC

Chair: Toby Hiscock 
Contact: nthiscock0801@gmail.com

Maldens and Coombe CAAC

Chair: Anthony Evans
Contact: anthony_evans51@yahoo.com