The borough’s first conservation area for more than 10 years was unanimously agreed by councillors this week.

A conservation area can cover a historical development, surviving historic features, character areas and specific types of buildings.

Lakeside Drive was given the status at a meeting of Elmbridge Council’s full planning committee on Tuesday, November 26.

The road is made up of 16 houses built in the 1970s of modular brick and glass, with all the properties about a serpentine lake from Milbourne House which originally formed part of the 18th century Claremont estate.

Elmbridge previously had 24 conservation areas which include historic town centre in Esher and Weybridge, Giggs Hill Green and West End, Whiteley Village and the motor racing circuit at Brooklands.

Most of the conservation areas were designated in the 1970s, with the most recent, the 17th century Wey navigation channels, in 2002.

In 2005, the planning committee considered a number of areas to be a new conservation area and Lakeside Drive was investigated last year.

Clare Smith, heritage, landscape and tree section manager at Elmbridge Council, said: “It was very different from other conservation areas and really it is a very self contained estate. All the buildings are the same and there is not a hierarchy like there usually is in a conservation area.”

A consultation period was held from September 9 to October 18 this year and received full support, with English Heritage stating the area is an “exceptional and probably unique, post-war development”.

The chairman of the Lakeside Drive Residents’ Association said people had long awaited the conservation status and would be delighted to support the council’s proposals.

Ward councillor Simon Waugh said: “This is a very special area and when you walk around it, you do see none of the houses have been changed. I think that shows it is a special area because residents do enjoy living there. I have never seen anywhere like it in the UK.

“I know from talking to the other ward councillors, they are fully supportive and I hope you agree this is the right thing to do.”

Members of the committee unanimously agree to permit Lakeside Drive as a designated conservation area and agreed to consider Templemere, Weybridge, as a candidate for further investigation as a potential new conservation area.