Conservation Area Advice

 

Conservation area designation has the following implications:

 

Permitted development rights that make a planning application unnecessary for some minor alterations and extensions to dwellings are more restricted within a Conservation Area.  Planning permission is required for external cladding and painting, boundary walls, roof alterations, the formation of hard surfaces and additional controls over the positioning of satellite dishes.  You are advised to contact the City Council concerning any proposed works to determine whether or not an application is required.

 

An Article 4 Direction made under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1997 and applied to residential properties removes permitted development rights from significant elevations, normally front and side. Alterations such as replacement doors, windows and porches, the creation of hard standings and the removal of original boundary treatments may be insignificant as individual alterations.  The cumulative effect of these alterations together with the removal of other architectural details such as chimneys, ridge tiles and decorative timber work leads to erosion of character and appearance.  An Article 4 Direction requires planning permission to be obtained for these minor developments.  No planning fee is paid in these circumstances. 

 

Special attention must be paid to the character and appearance of the conservation areas when determining planning applications. Planning applications are advertised for public comment and any views expressed are taken into account.  Applicants are encouraged to discuss ideas for development proposals with planning officers prior to submitting a planning application.   

 

Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of unlisted buildings. It is advisable to contact the council to confirm whether your proposal will require consent.

 

Trees within conservation areas are covered by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).  It is an offence to cut down, top. lop uproot or wilfully damage or destroy a tree having a diameter exceeding 75mm at a point 1.5m above ground level.  The local planning authority must be given 6 weeks notice of works to trees within a conservation area.  Failure to give notice renders the person liable to the same penalties as for contravention of a Tree Preservation Order.

  

Tree Preservation Orders are used to secure the preservation of trees, where their removal would have a significant impact on the local environment and its enjoyment by the public.  The local planning authority is required to undertake assessment from a public place, such as a road or footpath.  The importance of trees as wildlife habitats will be taken into consideration.  There is a strong presumption against any form of development or change of use of land which is likely to damage or prejudice the future long term existence of trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order. 

For information about tree preservation orders, trees in conservation areas, trees on development sites and private trees in general can be found on trees on private land.