What are conservation areas?
A conservation area is an area that has been identified as having a special character and quality. This should be safeguarded and enhanced.
Local councils have the power to designate conservation areas. There are currently 17 in North Lincolnshire.
High standards of design will be sought in all conservation areas. The council hopes that being in a conservation area will encourage people to maintain and restore their buildings to a high standard, and in keeping with that area's character. In this way the quality of the towns and villages that make North Lincolnshire unique can be retained.
What does 'designation' mean?
A number of special controls and requirements apply in conservation areas. These are to protect their character. This does not mean that there will be no new developments or alterations to existing buildings. It is recognised that places must be able to adapt to the demands of present day life. However the council has a duty to ensure that all changes either increase the attractiveness of these areas or do no harm to their special qualities.
Within a conservation area the council has extra controls over the following:
Demolition:
You will need conservation area consent from the council to demolish buildings and other structures. Generally this will be refused unless it would improve the appearance of the conservation area.
New development:
New development must be well designed. The use of traditional natural materials will normally be required.
New buildings:
New buildings, extensions and alterations must preserve or enhance the appearance of the conservation area.
Trees:
If you want to fell or lop a tree you must notify the council six weeks before the work is due to take place. Application forms and more information can be found on our tree preservation orders and trees in conservation areas page.
If you are thinking about making alterations to a property, demolishing a building or felling a tree in a conservation area please contact the development control team. It will advise you if consent is required.
Living in a conservation area
Planning applications are needed for some types of development which may not normally need permission. These include:
- larger house or industrial extensions
- dormer windows
- cladding external walls of a house
- satellite dishes facing a highway
- illuminated advertisements
Several of our conservation areas have further controls in place. These are termed article 4 directions. More information can be found on permitted development page.
Application forms can be found on the planning application forms and guidance notes page.
Conservation areas appraisals
Conservation area appraisals have been prepared for all 17 conservation areas. This has been done over the last three years. Each one has been the subject of consultation with the public. The conservation area appraisals define and record what makes these places "areas of special architectural or historic interest". They identify their special character and qualities and provide a clear definition of what makes them special. They also set out what it is important to retain. As part of this process several amendments have been made to the boundaries of many conservation areas. In some instances boundaries have shrunk while others have expanded. More information can be found on our on our conservation area appraisals page.
More information:
To find out what the council's planning policy on conservation areas is see the document below.
Please note: The document on this page are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need a suitable reader to view it. A reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the site).