Volunteers are being sought to join Hackney’s new Dalston Conservation Area Advisory Committee.

It is being set up to advise the Council on planning issues in the Dalston Lane (West), St Mark’s and Queensbridge conservation areas.

The group will advise the Council on planning and other applications affecting designated areas. It will also help in identifying buildings that should be considered for listing and bringing breaches of planning control to the Council’s attention.

Hackney residents are also invited to join the borough’s other Conservation Area Advisory Committees: Shoreditch, Central and South Hackney, Kingsland, Clapton or Stoke Newington.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “It is more than ten years since Hackney Council set up the first of the Conservation Area Advisory Committees and they have proved extremely valuable in helping to enhance the borough’s architectural heritage.

“We thank all those who are already involved and welcome other residents to get involved and help with planning and conservation matters in their neighbourhoods.”

To join the Dalston Conservation Area Advisory Committee, you should live or work in the Dalston area. Members are not expected to have a special knowledge of planning or conservation issues but a general interest and a basic understanding would be useful.

Members should be able to attend regularly monthly meetings and occasional meetings at other times. All positions are offered on a voluntary basis.

Residents interested in applying or finding out more should contact Matt Payne in the Council’s Urban Design & Conservation Team on 020 8356 8106 or e-mail matt.payne@hackney.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 22 September 08.

To find out more about Conservation Areas in Hackney, visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/conservation-areas