Own a building in a Conservation Area?

If you own property in a Conservation Area there are a small number of extra controls that could require you to notify or apply for permission to the National Park Authority as follows:

• The cutting down, topping or lopping of any tree. You must give 6 weeks written notice. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution.
• The demolition of any building larger than 115 cubic metres

In the future some Conservation Areas may be subject to stricter controls known as Article 4 Directions. These Directions will affect the extent of minor works you can carry out without planning permission. Consultation will take place with residents before such Directions are applied, but in order to get an up-to-date picture of the planning situation you are advised to contact us to check when permissions are required.

 If you are proposing to alter, extend or build within a Conservation Area you should ensure that your proposal takes account of the characteristics of the area that make it special. This might include its positioning, orientation, building materials and the detailing of windows, doors or boundary walls.

There are normally a range of minor alterations that you can carry out without planning permission. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that some types of alteration could have an adverse effect on the appearance of your property and the wider area. The following are a few examples:

• Painting or rendering over stonework
• Replacement of period features such as traditional doors with mass produced, inaccurately designed 'facsimiles'. Doors should be painted rather than stained
• Replacement of traditional timber windows with poorly configured windows made of uPVC, aluminium or hardwoods, using mock glazing bars. Timber windows should be painted rather than stained

Grants are available for work undertaken on certain listed buildings. Unlisted buildings in a Conservation Area may sometimes be eligible for grant assistance.  At present only Staithes benefits from such a Conservation Area grant scheme, called the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

• For information or advice on buildings in Conservation Areas contact us or telephone the National Park Office, Helmsley 01439 770657
• For advice on what needs planning permission contact your Area Planner
• For information on the Staithes Townscape Heritage Initiative contact the National Park Authority's Building Conservation Officer.