Conservation Area

The Curzon Park Conservation Area

Certain parts of our neighbourhood – essentially the Victorian/Edwardian-era sections of Curzon Park South. and the majority of Curzon Park North (see map) – are comprised in a conservation area.

Localities are designated as conservation areas when it is considered that they must be safeguarded from indiscriminate or ill-considered change. These areas often contain listed buildings, as is the case with the majority – though not all – of the properties within our conservation area, as shown on the map. 

However, it is not always enough to protect these buildings in isolation. Their surroundings and general environment are often of equal importance and conservation areas are intended to protect that environment. We have a responsibility to ensure that the character of these areas is not diminished in our lifetime.

Living in a Conservation Area

The designation of a conservation area indicates a council’s positive commitment to these areas and its intention to preserve and enhance the quality of the environment. However, conservation areas are not open-air museums but living communities which must be allowed to change over time in order to remain vital and prosperous. It is important that all new development should be sympathetic to the special architectural and aesthetic qualities of the area, particularly in terms of scale, design, materials and space between buildings.

The council has statutory powers to control changes within conservation areas and these are summarised as follows:

Demolition of Buildings
Conservation area consent is required for the demolition in whole or part of most buildings and structures, including walls and outhouses. If demolition is being considered then advice should be sought from the council.

Trees
If you wish to fell, lop or top or uproot trees within a conservation area, you must give the council six weeks notice in writing. It is an offence to carry out the work within that period without the consent of your council.

Satellite Dishes
The siting of a satellite dish on the chimney stack or on the roof slope or elevation fronting the road requires consent from your council.

Design of New Development
The local authority has the power to require a very high standard of design which is sympathetic to the existing environment. New development must make a positive contribution to the character of the area. In view of this, your council can require additional information in support of any planning application showing how the proposal will relate to the conservation area. This can mean the submission of elevations of adjacent buildings, full details of the proposal and examples of materials and colours. Usually only a fully detailed planning application will be considered, which should be accompanied by a design statement.

The council will advertise all planning applications affecting the character of conservation areas both on site and in the local paper.

Alterations to roofs and cladding of buildings proposals to change the profile of a roof, for example with the provision of a dormer window, and to clad a building with a different material, such as imitation stone, or otherwise alter, in particular, front elevations, require consent from the council.