In the United Kingdom, the term conservation area nearly always applies to an area (usually urban or the core of a village) considered worthy of preservation or enhancement because of its special architectural or historic interest. More than 9,600 have been designated in England. The Civic Amenities Act 1967 introduced the concept of conservation areas before being superseded by the 1990 Act. Stamford, Lincolnshire was the first conservation area to be designated.