Conservation Area Consent

A Conservation Area is a specially designated area for a place of special architectural or historic interest.

What does a Conservation Area mean?

A Conservation Area is a specially designated area for a place of special architectural or historic interest.

The Council, through by the local planning authority, designate such areas which then means additional planning controls and restrictions to protect the features which make the areas unique and special. Such areas include historic town centres, entire villages, individual streets or individual features such as canals.Conservation Area Consent

Historic England provides a wide range of information on such areas and states that 2.2% of England is a Conservation Area, with over 10,000 areas in total, with the majority being in rural areas (c. 59%). Every local planning authority has at least 1 formal area however many Councils have numerous such areas.

Unlike listed buildings Conservation Areas extend further than individual buildings to include the wider built and natural environment including streets, trees, hard and soft landscaping as well as views and settings. While individual buildings may warrant protection, via the listing process when combined with others and the area generally play an important role in the historic character of the area and heritage generally.

At plande, we have a wide range of experience of working in such areas and obtaining Conservation Area Consent in urban and rural areas. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

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How do I know if I’m in a Conservation Area?

Each local planning authority publishes a list, and often detailed information and appraisals of each Conservation Area.

Such lists will be published on the Planning section of the Council websites or you can contact them directly for confirmation as well as to tell you more information about it; for example, where the boundaries are, the reason for its creation, when it was designated, it’s special features and key aspects, including any listed or locally listed buildings and overriding character.

If you think you are in a Conservation Area, contact us today to see how this affects your property?

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How does a conservation area affect planning?

A Conservation Area places additional requirements and constraints, including on obtaining planning consent, permitted development regulations and demolition.

Conservation Area Consent is required for several things including demolishing a building with a volume over 115 cubic meters or more or removing some gates, fences, walls etc. depending upon their height and position. It is a criminal offence to demolish a building without obtaining specific approval and Conservation Area Consent prior.

In addition, there are limitations about what can be achieved under permitted development with the ability to undertake certain works, normally allowable without planning permission, requiring approval or specific Conservation Area Consent. Examples include, but are not limited to, cladding of houses, side extensions, two-storey rear extensions and roof extensions (such as dormer loft conversions etc).

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Do you need planning permission in a Conservation Area?

While there are still opportunities to undertake works via permitted development in Conservation Areas, these permitted development rights are reduced and therefore planning permission is generally more likely to be required in Conservation Areas than other areas. In addition, local planning authorities also have the powers to make an Article 4 direction which have much more stringent restrictions on what can be done without planning permission.

In addition to planning permission, Conservation Area Consent is required for certain developments, as stated above.

All trees in Conservation Areas have protection, whether they are individually protected by Tree Preservation Orders or not. Such works, including cutting down, topping, lopping, uprooting, wilful damage etc require specific permission from the Council.

If you are looking to obtain planning permission in a Conservation Area or Article 4 Direction area, contact us to discuss your requirements?

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Disclaimer: This page provides an introduction only and is not a definitive statement of the law and should therefore not be relied upon. The information above relates to England only. Policies across the rest of the UK may differ. Contact your Local Planning Authority for advice and confirmation before any works are carried out. All images used are for illustrative purposes only. Read the full disclaimer here.

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