Rayleigh Conservation Area is one of three such areas under the control of Rochford District Council. It was designated in October 1969 following the Civic Amenities Act 1967 the provisions of which are now embodied in Section 277(1) of the Town and Country Act 1971 as amended by the Town and Country Planning Amenities Act 1974. Such areas are defined as "areas of special architectural or historic interest the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". This is pursued by the Council by:

a) encouraging a high standard of design and materials through the control of new development;

b) identifying where visual improvements can be made to buildings, signs, street furniture, fences, walls and pavings;

c) encouraging the redevelopment of vacant or under utilised sites;

d) finding suitable uses for old buildings.

The importance of trees in conservation areas is recognised by the Government. The Town and Country Amenities Act 1974 amended the Town and Country Act of 1971 to protect trees in Conservation Areas by prohibiting the cutting down, topping, lopping or wilful destruction of trees except with the consent of the local planning authority.

The aims detailed above are embodied in a number of Policy statements which form part of the Rochford District Plan.

One such policy concerns listed buildings in Conservation Areas. Permission to demolish listed buildings is not normally given unless detailed plans for redevelopment of the site have previously received planning permission and a contract for the erection of the new building entered into. The wisdom of this is obvious as it is intended to prevent empty sites being left for long periods to the detriment of the town's appearance.

Rayleigh Conservation Area is bounded by the North West side of Rayleigh Mount and includes the Parish Church, Barringtons and the Civic Suite to the North. It continues round the outside perimeter of King George's Field to the East. The boundary then runs along the south side of the High Street excluding the Police Station and the Public Library. It then continues across Crown Hill so as to include the High Street properties on the West side and then turns West along the southern boundary of the Mount.