What is a Conservation Area?
A Conservation Area is defined as: 'an area of special
architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of
which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. - Planning (Listed
Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Purbeck currently has
24 Conservation Areas which have been designated to cover the most
historically and architecturally important and interesting parts of
the District’s towns and villages.
Various factors contribute to the special character of a
Conservation Area. These include: the quality of buildings, the
historic layout of roads, paths and boundaries, boundary treatments
and patterns of enclosure, characteristic building and paving
materials, uses and associations, the quality of the public realm
and contribution made by trees and green spaces. A strong 'sense of
place' is often associated with Conservation Areas. It is the
function of Conservation Area Appraisals to assess and evaluate
'character' as a means of assisting the planning process.
Owning and Developing Land and Property within a
Conservation Area
While subject to normal planning
controls a range of additional controls and considerations also
apply within Conservation Areas:
Unlisted buildings and structures are protected from substantial
works of demolition (as defined by case law this means the whole of
a building or structure, or whole of a building minus the façade).
Qualifying works of demolition affecting unlisted properties will
require Conservation Area Consent. Proposals to demolish buildings
or structures that are deemed to make a positive contribution to
the character and appearance of the area will not usually be looked
upon favourably. An approved scheme for redevelopment will
normally be required before consent to demolish will be granted.
The main exceptions to the rule include:
- any building with a total cubic content not exceeding 115 cubic
metres (as ascertained by external measurement) or any part of such
a building - with the exception of a pre-1925 tombstone;
- any gate, wall, fence or means of enclosure which is less than
one metre high where abutting on a highway (including a public
footpath or bridleway), waterway or open space, or less than two
metres high in any other case;
- any building erected since 1 January 1914 and in use, or last
used, for the purposes of agriculture or forestry;
Certain buildings used for industry.
Please note:
Where demolition is being considered early consultation with local
Planning and Conservation Officers should be sought. It is a
criminal offence to carry out unauthorised works.
Within a Conservation Area permitted
development rights are subject to some restriction (see GPDO 1995
and amendments). Planning Permission will be required for:
- Cladding of the exterior with stone, artificial stone, pebble
dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles.
- Construction of an extension on the side elevation of an
original dwelling house.
- Construction of an extension exceeding one storey on the
rear of an original dwelling house.
- Any enlargement consisting of addition to or alteration of the
roof.
- Provision of a building, enclosure, pool or container within
the curtilage incidental to enjoyment between a wall forming a side
elevation and the boundary of the dwelling house.
- Installation of a chimney, flue, or soil and vent pipe on a
wall or roof slope fronting a highway and forming the principal or
side elevation.
- Installation of microwave antenna on a chimney wall or
roofslope facing onto or visible from a highway, or on a building
>15m high.
Installation of solar panels on the ground within the
curtilage where these are visible from a highway; on the wall of a
building within the curtilage where visible from a highway; on a
wall which forms a principal or side elevation of the dwelling
house where visible from a highway. There is a general
requirement for solar panels to be positioned with regard to
minimising affect upon the external appearance of a building and
amenity of the area within which it stands
Further restrictions may be applied by the Local Authority or
Secretary of State through use of Article 4 Directions where a good
case can be made.
- High standards of design are expected for new development
within Conservation Areas. Proposals which pay special regard
to prevailing patterns of height, massing, layout, articulation,
enclosure and use of locally relevant materials will be required.
Early consultation should be sought with local Planning and
Conservation Officers. Further information on Conservation Area
character can be obtained from Character Appraisals where these
have been produced.
- Additional restrictions apply in regard to advertisements.
Captive balloon adverts, posters displayed on hoardings around
building sites, illuminated advertisements and house builder’s
flags on building sites require Advertisement Consent.
Advertisements must be sympathetic to the character and appearance
of the area.
- Changes of use which require Planning permission may be
considered in terms of the impact such change would have upon the
character of a Conservation Area.
- All trees and shrubs with branches 75mm or more in diameter at
1.2 metres above ground level are protected from felling, lopping
and pruning. Six weeks' written notice must be provided to the
Borough Council's Tree Officer in each instance during which time a
Tree Preservation Order may be served.
Further advice and guidance can be obtained by contacting the
Design and Conservation Officer, the relevant area Planning Officer
or Tree Officer.
Download Information Leaflets:
Internal Links to Conservation Area
Appraisals:
Contact Details:
As the legislation covering Conservation Areas is complex, you
are advised to contact the Design & Conservation Officer to
discuss your proposals in the first instance.
Design and Conservation Officer
Community Planning and Policy
Westport House
Worgret Road
Wareham BH20 4PP
Tel: 01929 557388