Conservation Areas, what are they?
When you are buying a property your solicitor will do a local search and amongst other things this will reveal whether the property lies within a Conservation Area.
If it does there are a number of things you should be aware of.
A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. When your home is within such a designated area there are many consequences:
- Any trees on your property are automatically protected. This means it is an offence to cut down, damage, or wilfully destroy any tree without the consent of the local council. In effect it gives all trees within the Conservation Area blanket protection.
- If you apply for Planning Permission you will find there are much more stringent requirements than normal. The application must preserve the character and appearance of the area. So you may find it more difficult to get your application passed.
- There are certain things you can do to your property without planning permission. This is called ‘permitted development’. This would include for example adding a small porch, or a conservatory. These permitted development rights are far more restricted in a Conservation Area. So whatever you intend to do at the property, however minor, you should check whether you need to obtain Conservation Area Consent before starting any work.
Claire Nunes
Cambridge Property News - Oct 2007
