What is a Conservation Area? And how does it impact your Planning Application?

A conservation area is a designated area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Conservation areas are designated by local planning authorities in the United Kingdom under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. 

What is a Conservation Area?

The aim of conservation area designation is to protect the special character and appearance of an area, rather than individual buildings.

Examples of features that contribute to the character of a conservation area might include a group of buildings of similar design, a street pattern, or trees and open spaces. 

Conservation areas can be found in towns, cities and rural areas and can range from a small group of 18th century cottages to a complete medieval village. Examples include the Georgian terraces of Bath, the medieval town of Stamford in Lincolnshire and the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno in North Wales.

If you live in a conservation area, it means that the local government has designated the area as being of special architectural or historic interest and therefore certain regulations apply to any changes made to the buildings or the land within it. 

This designation is intended to preserve and enhance the area's character and appearance. For example, you may need to obtain planning permission for certain types of work, such as adding a porch to your house or changing the windows, that would not be required in a non-conservation area. 

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What Impact does a Conservation Area have on your Planning Application?

A conservation area status impacts the planning permission process significantly. In the UK, conservation areas are designated to preserve and enhance areas of special architectural or historic interest. Here's how being in a conservation area affects planning permission:

1. Stricter Development Rules:

There are additional controls over demolition, minor developments, and changes that could affect the character of the area, such as the colour of paint used or types of windows installed.

2. Preservation of Character:

Any work done must preserve or improve the character or appearance of the conservation area. This often means that the materials and design have to be in keeping with the local style.

3. Additional Consent Required:

You may need to obtain Conservation Area Consent for works that normally don't require planning permission elsewhere, including demolition of unlisted buildings in the area.

4. Detailed Applications:

Similar to listed buildings, applications for development within a conservation area must be accompanied by a detailed description of how the proposed changes preserve or enhance the character of the area.

5. Trees:

There are restrictions on work to trees in conservation areas, and you often need to notify the LPA before carrying out any works to trees.

6. Increased Scrutiny:

Applications within conservation areas typically undergo more scrutiny by planning officers, and the bar for quality and sympathy to the existing environment is set higher.

7. Public Input:

There may be more opportunity for public comment on planning applications within conservation areas, and the opinions of local conservation groups and societies can have significant weight.

8. Potential for Planning Refusals or Conditions:

There's a higher chance of planning permission being refused or granted with conditions to ensure the area's character is maintained.

9. Impact on Timelines:

The increased complexity and scrutiny can mean that obtaining planning permission might take longer than in non-designated areas.

Owning a property in a conservation area means that any development will need to be thoughtfully planned to meet these additional requirements, and it is often advisable to seek advice from conservation officers or specialist consultants when considering applying for planning permission.

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