ABERGAVENNY and Usk are two of five towns included in a Monmouthshire County Council roadshow on conservation matters.

MCC says it wants to ‘engage with communities’ over its appraisals for conservation areas within the county by hosting a string of public events.

Conservation areas have special protection because of their recognised special architectural or historic interest.

Monmouthshire currently has 31 such areas and 18 are potentially subject to some changes.

The two local public events are:

* County Hall, Usk, on September 3, involving Usk, Raglan and Llandenny conservation areas.

* St Mary’s Priory, Abergavenny, on September 9, roping in Abergavenny, Llanover, Llanarth and Llantilio Crossenny conservation areas.

Each will last from 3pm to 7pm with members of Monmouthshire’s conservation team and other planning officers available to explain conservation areas and discuss proposals.

County Councillor Giles Howard, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for planning said, “Our conservation area appraisals are intended to ensure that these areas of special interest are afforded the right level of protection. We’re keen to engage with residents and discover what they think about the council’s proposals, some of which include amendments to the current conservation areas.”