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Conservation areas and listed buildings

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If you want to make changes to a listed building or within a conservation area, there are certain planning rules you'll need to follow.

We want to conserve, protect and promote Waltham Forest's historic buildings.

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 Click to get info

Browning Road Click to get info

Chingford Green Click to get info

Background

Conservation areas are places of special character or historic interest designated by local authorities under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Planning authorities must take account of a conservation area’s special interest and character when deciding planning applications in those areas, to ensure that any proposed changes comply with the criteria set down while at the same time preserving or enhancing the conservation area as a whole. This does not mean that change cannot take place, but that it must be sensitively managed and carefully considered. High quality new development can enhance a conservation area.

The Chingford Green Conservation Area was designated in 1990, in recognition of the historic and special character of the area around Chingford Green.

When designating a conservation area, it is the duty of the Council to formulate and publish proposals for its preservation and enhancement, and these documents are known as Appraisals and Management Plans (see above documents).

The Chingford Green Appraisal and Management Plan was last updated in 2010, and as such the Council is now in the process of revising and updating these documents, as part of the routine programme of ensuring conservation areas within the borough are robust and up to date.

The Council has no intention of changing the Chingford Green Conservation Area boundaries.

What happens when?

  • Monday 23 November 2020: Review begins and public comments invited
  • Wednesday 2 December 2020: Virtual public engagement event takes place. See the presentation (link to slides sent by email)
  • Sunday 31 January 2021: Deadline for submitting public comments
  • February 2021: Public comments analysed
  • March 2021: Decision taken on review of Chingford Green Conservation Area

Engagement

Letters have been sent to property owners and tenants within the Conservation Area inviting their comments.

Hard copies are available to view at:

The Magistrates,
1 Farnan Avenue,
Walthamstow, E17 4JF,

And in Chingford Green Library.

Public comments on the Conservation Area can be made by email or by writing to:

Design and Conservation,
The Magistrates,
1 Farnan Avenue,
Walthamstow, E17 4NX

Please ensure your comments reach us no later than midnight on Sunday 31 January 2021.

Keeping you informed

Sign up for Chingford Green email newsletter.

Further information

Please contact:

Forest School Click to get info

Leucha Road Click to get info

Leyton Town Centre Click to get info

This Conservation Area is due for review in Spring and Summer 2021 and will include public engagement.

Sign up for Leyton Conservation Area email newsletter

Leytonstone Click to get info

Lloyd Park Click to get info

Orford Road Click to get info

This Conservation Area is due for review in 2022 and will include public engagement.

Sign up for Orford Road Conservation Area email newsletter

Ropers Field Click to get info

Thornhill Road Click to get info

Walthamstow St James Click to get info

Walthamstow Village Click to get info

This Conservation Area is due for review in 2022 and will include public engagement.

Sign up for Walthamstow Village Conservation Area email newsletter

Woodford Green Click to get info

Article 4 directions for conservation areas: restricting permitted development Click to get info

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:

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) 

Article 4 Direction

Waltham Forest Council made an Article 4(1) Direction for the Highams Area of Special Character on 7 August 2019. Following public consultation the council has now confirmed this Direction, which comes into effect on 2nd September 2020.

The Article 4 Direction covers the whole of the Highams Area of Special Character and requires owners to seek planning permission for development that constitutes any of the four classes included within the Direction.

For more information please see the following documents:

Contact Click to get info

Ron Presswell (Manager)  or Mike Fox (Conservation Officer)

Design and Conservation
The Magistrates
Town Hall Complex
Forest Road
London E17 4JF

Telephone: 020 8496 3000

Email: Urbandesign@walthamforest.gov.uk