Protecting the character of local areas

Conservation areas are designated to protect an area's character, and are subject to extra planning controls. They vary in both size and character, ranging from small groups of buildings (often listed buildings) to town squares or even open spaces.

Planning controls

Conservation areas have extra planning controls. Most notable is a reduction on the size of extensions that can be built without requiring planning permission. Other extra controls relate to any works to trees and the placement of satellite dishes.

In a conservation area consent is always required:

• for the total or substantial demolition of a building measuring more than 115 cubic metres
• for a gate, fence, wall or railing over 1m high next to a highway (including a public footpath or bridleway) or public open space; or over 2 metres high elsewhere.

Article 4 Direction areas

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has introduced another UK planning control in some of its conservation areas where the character of the area is under threat. In the six Article 4 Direction areas there is less permitted development allowed and it is best to assume you have to apply for most works including in, Royal Greenwich, replacing windows and doors and re-roofing.