Conservation areas

There are several types of permission you may need if you live in a conservation area. You should always check if you need permission before starting any work and contact Development Control if you have any queries.

In a conservation area you may need planning permission and building regulations approval for some alterations and extensions, which would normally be permitted, and conservation area consent if you want to carry out demolition work. 

Not all conservation areas have an Article 4 Direction, but where they do exist you will need to get planning permission before you carry out the works they control. This might relate to replacement windows, the demolition of front garden walls, roof extensions, or other alterations.

Your building may also be listed and you may need listed building consent. In this case there are special restrictions that apply.

Works in certain conservation areas may also have archaeological implications.

Trees in conservation areas

Trees over a certain size in conservation areas are protected. You will need permission to carry out any works to trees and you must give us six weeks' notice of any work that you want to carry out. It is a criminal offence to cut, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or fell any tree in a conservation area without permission. The maximum penalty is a £20,000 fine in the Magistrates Court, or an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.