Conservation areas FAQ's

Q. What is a conservation area?

A. A conservation area is defined as “an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance..”. There are 36 conservation areas in Test Valley ranging from large town centres such as Romsey and Andover to small villages such as Quarley.

Q. Why are they designated? 

A. While individual historic buildings have enjoyed protection since the 1930’s through the listing process, the legislation did not go far enough to protect the character of many of our historic towns and villages (which is derived not only from the buildings, but also their settings, space between buildings, trees and other landscape and townscape features). Conservation areas were introduced in 1967 - the first legislation designed to protect historic areas as a whole.

Q. What requires consent

A. Within conservation areas there are a number of works (to houses) which require planning permission which do not require consent elsewhere for example:

  • Additions and alterations to the roof (including inserting dormers).
  • The application of external cladding e.g. with stone, timber, tiles or plastic.
  • Installing a satellite dish on a chimney or building exceeding 15 metres in height or on walls or roof slopes fronting the highway.

In addition you may need to obtain the following consents:

Listed Building Consent

If your building is listed and you intend to demolish, alter or extend it, you will need to obtain Listed building Consent. For further guidance on this, check with conservation staff on 01794 527822, or refer to Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) leaflet on Listed Building Consent.

Conservation Area Consent

Conservation Area Consent is required for unlisted buildings within conservation areas for:

Total (or substantial) demolition of a building or structure in excess of 115 cubic metres.

The removal or substantial demolition of a building or other structures such as gates, walls, fences etc. dependent on their height, location and date of construction.

The Council normally asks for detailed information to support planning applications for development in conservation areas – including a Design Statement explaining how the proposed development relates to existing buildings, materials to be used, etc. Outline applications for development in conservation areas are generally NOT acceptable.

Works to trees 

With limited exceptions, all trees standing within a conservation area are legally protected. If you intend to carry out any works to a tree – whether this is felling or simply pruning you must give six weeks written notice to the Local Planning Authority (LPA).

Where a tree is felled under the dead, dying or dangerous exemption, the legislation places a duty on the landowner to plant a replacement.

Q. How can I find out more information and get advice? 

A. For speacialist advice on listed buildings and conservation area consent you can speak to our our convservation officer. 

Q. Where can I get more help?

A. You are encouraged to discuss any proposals you have for development in a conservation area at an early stage in the process with planning staff.

Design and Conservation staff within the service can provide general design advice, but other than the most straightforward cases you are likely to require the services of an experienced agent.

For more significant and sensitive sites you will need to consider the appointment of an architect familiar with this type of work. Advice on appointing an architect can be obtained from the Royal Institute of British Architects  website or by calling them on 020 7307 3700.

Before appointing an architect/agent ask to see similar work they have undertaken and the fees charged to make sure they are suitable for your purposes.

Q. Does everything need consent?

A. No, but care needs to be taken to ensure that what you are proposing to do does not harm the special character of the conservation area. Very often it is the small, misguided changes to unlisted buildings, carried out over a number of years which can end up harming the character of the area. For example: replacing the original roof covering with concrete tiles; installing doors and windows made of non-traditional materials such as upvc, or with over fussy details or so called “heritage” features such as “stuck-on” leaded lights, fanlights within the door etc; applying render or paint to previously untreated brick or stonework; removing architectural features such as chimney stacks, pots, cornices, finials etc; the loss of front gardens to create parking areas; poorly designed walls, fences etc.

Q. Will new development be acceptable?

A. Yes: Conservation area designation doesn’t mean that no further development will be allowed. The Council looks carefully however at applications for new development in conservation areas guided by policies within the Borough Local Plan, to ensure that development is designed sensitively to preserve or enhance the special character of the conservation area. Applications for new development are advertised in the local paper and by site notices. Parish and Town Councils and amenity societies are also consulted as part of the planning process.