Conservation Areas are “areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”. The designation of such areas however does not automatically mean that the Council has additional powers to achieve these ends. Normally a householder can make modest changes to their property without having first to apply for planning permission. This is known as ‘permitted development’ and is defined in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). It includes the replacement of windows, doors, roof coverings, the construction of small extensions, porches, hard standings etc.

The character and appearance of many Conservation Areas has sadly already been partly eroded by unsympathetic changes and the loss of traditional building features. Such alterations include the replacement of traditional doors and windows, removal of chimneystacks, painting of previously unpainted brickwork, removal of boundary walls etc. Although relatively minor changes, cumulatively these alterations significantly detract from the character and appearance of a Conservation Area. Under normal planning powers it is impossible for this to be adequately controlled.

Article 4(2) Directions - Local Planning Authorities however have powers to remove certain ‘permitted development’ rights by making Article 4(2) Directions. Once a Direction has been served, planning permission is required for those classes of development listed. Such Directions only affect dwelling houses in single occupation (i.e. not subdivided into flats or with individual rooms let to tenants), and only those elevations that front onto a highway or open space (including side elevations of corner properties). Flats, shops, offices and other commercial buildings, and houses in multiple occupation, do not have the benefit of permitted development rights and so are already required to apply for planning permission for changes such as those listed below.

With an Article 4(2) Direction in place, planning permission will be required for:

  • The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse i.e. changes to windows, doors, roof coverings, chimneys, rainwater goods etc.
  • Alterations to roofs that materially affect the shape of a dwellinghouse.
  • The erection of a front porch.
  • The provision of a hard standing.
  • The installation, alteration or replacement of a satellite antenna.
  • The erection, alteration or removal of a chimney on a dwellinghouse or on a building within the curtilage.
  • The erection, alteration or demolition of a front gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure within the front garden, or a side boundary facing the road.
  • The painting of a dwellinghouse (apart from like-for-like repainting).

The Article 4(2) Direction Schedule for your Conservation Area sets out the classes of development for which planning permission is now required.

As a general guide, planning permission will not normally be granted to replace traditional features with modern replicas, or to use substitute materials such as aluminium or plastic windows, or concrete roof tiles. Applications for alterations that would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area will normally be recommended for refusal.

You do not need planning permission for repairs provided they are carried out in a traditional manner repeating the details of the original elements involved and using the same materials. You can also replace minor worn out elements without permission provided the replacements are like-for-like.

Planning Fees – There are no fees payable to the Council for any planning application required solely as a result of an Article 4(2) Direction.

Further information and contacts - Further information and advice can be obtained from the Council’s Conservation Officer and from the Development Management Section of the Council’s Sustainable Communities unit. A Duty Planning Officer is available between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. To contact the Duty Planning Officer please phone (020) 8496 3000 or call into our reception at Sycamore House, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road E17 4JF. Reception opening times are Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.15pm, and Friday 9am to 5pm. The offices are closed on Bank and Public Holidays.

Fax number: (020) 8496 6902
Email address: development.control@walthamforest.gov.uk