What is a conservation area, and what effect does it have?
What is a Conservation Area?
A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance (Section 69 of The 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act - see quick links on the right for further information).
The main attributes that define the special character of an area are its physical appearance and history, i.e. the form and features of buildings and the spaces between them, their former uses and historical development. Where there are a number of periods of historical development, the character of individual parts of the conservation area may differ. Contrasts between the appearance of areas and the combination of buildings of various ages, materials and styles may contribute to its special character.
In some instances, areas that either contribute little, or are even detrimental to the character of the conservation area, are included within the boundary because of their potential for enhancement. It is important that the council carefully balances the benefits of potential enhancement against the possibility that the inclusion of such areas may be perceived as devaluing the status of the conservation area as a whole.
English Heritage and the Department for Communities and Local Government provide further guidance. Please see quick links on the right to visit these websites.
What does it mean?
The effects of conservation area status
The main purpose of conservation area designation is to acknowledge the special character of an area. This influences the way in which the council, as the local planning authority, deals with planning applications that may affect the area. Within conservation areas, permitted development rights are restricted. This means that applications for planning permission are required for certain types of work that would not normally need consent. For further information please see the Planning Portal or the General Development Order on the Communities and Local Government website by following the links on the right.
The principal way in which the local planning authority tries to influence change in a conservation area is through the planning process. Certain categories of work need planning permission when they affect buildings or structures in a conservation area.
Listed below are examples of types of development that require applications for planning permission or conservation area consent. Please bear in mind that the list is not exhaustive.
- Demolition of all, and in some cases part, of any building or structure.
- An extension that extends beyond the side wall of the building.
- Any two storey extension.
- Cladding any part of the outside of a building with materials such as stone, artificial stone, timber, plastic or tile.
- Any enlargement or extension to a roof, such as the addition of a dormer window.
- An extension or alteration to any structure within the grounds of a building, if it is to the side of the house.
- The installation of a flue, chimney or soil and vent pipe if it would face a road and is on the side or front of the building.
- Positioning a satellite dish on a wall, roof or chimney that faces a road or public space.
- Solar panels on a wall that faces the road.
- Tighter controls over advertisements.
- Trees within conservation areas with stem diameters of 75mm or greater, measured at 1.5m above ground are protected. Anyone wishing to work on these trees must normally give six weeks written notice to the Local Authority. Replacement planting duties may apply. Please contact our Forestry Team for more information.
Last reviewed: 24 - 04 - 2012