Belgrave Hall Conservation Area Renovation Advice
Living in a Conservation Area isn’t quite the same as living in a listed building, but it does have certain responsibilities and your property may be subject to certain rules or even an “Article 4 direction”. To help you understand this, English Heritage provide this information:
RESTRICTING PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT:
ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS AND HERITAGE
- Certain works that would normally require planning permission are permitted by the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) (1). This is primarily because the works are of a scale or type that is generally not likely to have an unacceptable impact. The rules are the same across England and so inevitably cannot take account of local sensitivities.
- The GPDO 1995 is the principal order. It has been subject to a number of subsequent amendments. The Order sets out classes of development for which a grant of planning permission is automatically given.
- An article 4 direction is made by the local planning authority. It restricts the scope of permitted development rights either in relation to a particular area or site, or a particular type of development anywhere in the authority’s area. Where an article 4 direction is in effect, a planning application may be required for development that would otherwise have been permitted development. Article 4 directions are used to control works that could threaten the character of an area of acknowledged importance, such as a conservation area.
- Article 4 directions can increase the public protection of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings. They are not necessary for works to listed buildings and scheduled monuments as listed building consent and scheduled monument consent would cover all potentially harmful works that would otherwise be permitted development under the planning regime. However, article 4 directions might assist in the protection of all other heritage assets (particularly conservation areas) and help the protection of the setting of all heritage assets, including listed buildings.
- Article 4 directions may be used to require planning permission for the demolition of a non-designated heritage asset (such as a locally listed building outside of a conservation area), by removing the demolition rights under part 31 of the Order.
- Government has issued guidance on when and how to make an article 4 direction (2). It says that local authorities should consider making article 4 directions only in those exceptional circumstances where the exercise of permitted development rights would harm local amenity, the historic environment or the proper planning of the area.
© English Heritage
If you are not sure about anything you may wish to carry out, e.g. replacement windows, please contact the Council Planning Department or Conservation Officer. We take infringements of planning regulations very seriously and will always ask the Council to investigate and take action, if appropriate.
Inside the Belltower
