Conservation Areas

There are currently 64 Conservation Areas in Herefordshire County, which vary in character and size from tiny hamlets to villages to country house estates, the market towns, and the historic core of Hereford City.

What is a Conservation Area? The definition given in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 is a broad one :-

"areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance"

The 'special' interest of an area is due not only to the buildings but the interaction of the spaces around them, natural features, including trees and open spaces which together form distinctly recognisable areas of quality and interest. Once an area is designated the Council is under a duty to prepare proposals to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the area.

The principal effects of designation are :

• Consent must be obtained from the Council for the demolition of most buildings in the area.
• Six weeks' notice must be given to the Council before works are carried out to certain trees in the area.
• Special publicity must be given to planning applications for development in the area.
• In carrying out functions under the Planning Acts (in particular in determining planning applications etc.) the Council and the Secretary of State are required to take into account the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area.
• Permitted development rights (the various categories of development that are normally allowed without the need to apply for planning permission) are more restricted within the conservation area. In general terms these extra controls restrict the following:
  
  • various types of wall cladding
  • the insertion of dormer windows
  • the installation of satellite dishes on walls and roofs facing the highway
  • the installation of radio masts, antennae or radio equipment housing with a volume over two cubic metres
  • the size of residential and industrial extensions, which may be carried out without the need for planning permission, is also reduced
  • the installation of solar panels.

If your building is a Listed Building the normal controls of Listed Building Consent apply.