A guide to obtaining Conservation Area Consent and opportunities for grant aid.
When Do I Need Consent And How Do I Apply?
Conservation Area Consent is required for the total or substantial demolition of any building within a conservation area.
Conservation Area Consent is administered by your local authority.
It is recommended that you first contact your local authority's Conservation Officer or Development Control Officer to discuss what work you are proposing to carry out. They will be able to advise on whether or not you will need Conservation Area Consent (as well as any other permissions that may be relevant). This simple act could save you a lot of time and money.
Application Forms
Application forms are available either to download from your local authority's website or in paper form.
When an authority considers whether to grant or to refuse an application, it must have special regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the conservation area, and those features which make it special. Therefore you should also consider these things when planning proposed changes.
Applying for Conservation Area Consent is free.
How Long Does It Take?
Local authorities aim to return a decision on smaller schemes within eight weeks, allowing up to 13 weeks for major proposals.
If consent is refused you have six months in which you can appeal, or you can alter your plans, based on the written advice provided, and re-apply.
What Happens If I Carry Out Works Without Consent?
Carrying out works that require Conservation Area Consent, without having first obtained that Consent, is a criminal offence and might result in prosecution.
A planning authority can insist that all work undertaken without consent is reversed. Consent can be applied for retrospectively but there is no guarantee that this will be given and prosecution may still take place.
Can I Get A Grant?
It is possible that your conservation area is one covered by a 'Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas' (PSiCA) grant scheme.
These are managed by local authorities and are designed to target funding for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas.
They are based on a partnership between English Heritage, the local authority and other funding bodies and are designed to ensure the long term sustainable future of conservation areas, in particular through supporting heritage based regeneration initiatives.
Your local authority Conservation Officer or local English Heritage office will be able to advise if there is a grant scheme operating in your conservation area.
If your building is listed, then it may qualify under one of English Heritage's other grant programmes. Sometimes individual local authorities and Building Preservation Trusts operate grant schemes.
Again, your local Conservation Officer will be able to advise.
