Hart District Council was formed in 1974 from the merger of the former Fleet Urban District Council and Hartley Wintney Rural District Council. We now serve a population of approximately 89,000 in around 36,500 households. Our picturesque area of gentle rolling wooded countryside lies in the north-east corner of Hampshire and takes its name from the little River Hart which flows through its centre. There are a few mineral workings, but most of the land is farmed. Many acres are owned by the Ministry of Defence and the Forestry Commission. With such an abundance of "the great outdoors" on the doorstep the opportunities for recreational activities are many and varied. There are many unspoilt villages and four busy towns. Recent residential and light industrial development is centred around the towns of Fleet and Yateley, and Hook village. There are excellent communication links with London, Heathrow Airport and the rest of southern England. The District has a varied and widespread architectural heritage with approximately 1000 buildings listed as being of special architectural or historical interest. We have identified and defined 32 conservation Areas in the district. Hart is a rapidly growing District, forward looking and prosperous, but with a keen interest in conserving all that is unique and important in its past.