Conservation areas

If you live in a conservation area, you must make sure that any changes you make to your property through repairs, maintenance or alterations, are in keeping with the character of the building and the area. You should take care to match original materials and methods of construction and avoid damaging or removing features of historic or architectural value.

Unsympathetic alterations, for example, replacing original windows with UPVC windows or windows of a different design, removing chimneys or changing the original roofing materials may not only spoil the appearance of the conservation area, but may also significantly reduce the value of the property. Independent studies show that houses with their original period features can sell for more than those which have been unsympathetically modernised.

Whilst some alterations may be carried out without the need for planning permission, some conservation areas have restricted permitted development rights.

You can check whether you need any other permissions before starting work using these resources:

• Historic England - Permissions for older homes 
• Historic England - A guide for owners of listed buildings
• Historic England - Works in a conservation area
• Historic England - Planning permissions
• Conservation area map
• Article 4 in Coventry

We have information about our Conservation map on our online planning map. If you are on a Coventry City Council network, please use this internal link for the online planning map.

For householder and Urban Design guidance for developments in Coventry we have the Coventry Local Supplementary Planning Documents Design Guides.

If you are you are unable to find the required information, our conservation officers may be able to advise you and your builder about the best methods and materials to be used in repairing and maintaining your property, for example, they can recommend types of brick or roofing materials that are in keeping with the property and the area.