Conservation areas Click to get info
We designate conservation areas to recognise and protect special architectural and historic interest.
External changes to properties within these areas are likely to require planning permission, and will be expected to preserve or enhance the character of the area. For more details, see the Article 4 directions section below.
To check if your property is within a conservation area, please check the maps:
- Bakers Arms - appraisal expected to be adopted in winter 2018/19
- Bakers Arms map (PDF 1.15MB)
- Browning Road appraisal management plan (PDF 358KB)
- Browning Road map (PDF 670KB)
- Chingford Green appraisal management plan (PDF 388KB)
- Chingford Green map (PDF 937KB)
- Forest School appraisal management plan (PDF 205KB)
- Forest School map (PDF 480KB)
- Leucha Road appraisal management plan (PDF 189KB)
- Leucha Road map (PDF 1.07MB)
- Leyton Town Centre - appraisal expected to be adopted in summer 2019
- Leyton Town Centre map (PDF1.84MB)
- Leytonstone appraisal management plan (PDF 396KB)
- Leytonstone map (PDF 870KB)
- Lloyd Park appraisal management plan (PDF 3.9MB)
- Lloyd Park map (PDF 1.2MB)
- Orford Road appraisal management plan (PDF 606KB)
- Orford Road map 1 of 2 (PDF 1.3MB)
- Orford Road map 2 of 2 (PDF 1.3MB)
- Ropers Field appraisal management plan (PDF 192KB)
- Ropers Field map (PDF 612KB)
- Thornhill Road appraisal management plan (PDF 188KB)
- Thornhill Road map (PDF 802KB)
- Walthamstow St James appraisal management plan (PDF 1.7MB)
- Walthamstow St James map (PFD 960KB)
- Walthamstow Village appraisal management plan (PDF 430KB)
- Walthamstow Village map (PDF 1.1MB)
- Woodford Green appraisal management plan (PDF 1.3MB)
- Woodford Green map 1 of 2 (PDF 990KB)
- Woodford Green map 2 of 2 (PDF 750KB)
Article 4 directions have been applied to most of the borough's conservation areas. These directions restrict permitted development rights within a specified area.
Article 4 directions are in place to retain high quality architectural features and to make sure any changes consider their surroundings.
If you have a planning proposal for a single dwelling house, in one of these conservation areas below, please be aware you may need planning permission.
The Article 4 directions for Waltham Forest's conservation areas are:
- Chingford Green conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 73KB)
- Forest School conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 72KB)
- Leytonstone conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 72KB)
- Orford Road conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 74KB)
- Ropers Field conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 71KB)
- Thornhill Road conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 71KB)
- Woodford Green conservation area Article 4 direction (PDF 71KB)
- Browning Road conservation area Article 4 direction - please email us for further details
- Walthamstow Village conservation area Article 4 direction - please email us for further details
Commercial properties and flats don't have permitted development rights, and are not therefore included within Article 4 directions. Planning permission is likely to be required for external changes to these properties.
Statutory listed buildings Click to get info
'Listed buildings' are buildings, objects and structures designated by the Government on the advice of Historic England, for architectural and historic interest on a national scale.
You can find a full list of listed buildings in Waltham Forest on the Historic England website.
Any change to a listed building that would affect its character will require either planning permission or listed building consent, or both.
You can apply to us for planning permission and listed building consent.
Locally listed buildings Click to get info
We keep a list of locally significant buildings, which we review periodically. These buildings must be conserved and enhanced in ways appropriate to their significance.
Current list of locally significant buildings (PDF 272KB)
To suggest an amendment to the local list please email us at Urbandesign@walthamforest.gov.uk
Highams Area of Special Character Click to get info
We have one designated Area of Special Character, which covers the Highams Park Estate.
Unlike a conservation area, no permitted development rights have been removed from properties within Highams Park Estate. However, we will look favourably on planning applications that respect and enhance its significance.
Highams Area of Special Character information leaflet (PDF 1.8MB)
Contact Click to get info
Ron Presswell (Manager) or Mike Fox (Conservation Officer)
Telephone: 020 8496 3000