Conservation areas
The Forest of Dean has 27 conservation areas, and half of them have character appraisals. Appraisals help with decisions about the suitability of proposals within conservation areas.
Select a town from the list to view its conservation area map and appraisal (if an appraisal has been carried out).
Conservation Areas are places of special architectural or historic interest, which have a particular character or appearance worthy of preservation or enhancement. Groups of buildings, walls, trees and hedges, open spaces, views and the historic settlement patterns all combine to create an individual sense of place. It is this character, rather than individual buildings, that conservation areas status seeks to protect.
A conservation area is an area which has been designated for its special historic character and appearance. A conservation area is protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and there are restrictions on some permitted development rights to properties located within a conservation area.
The Forest of Dean has 27 conservation areas, these are varied, reflecting the diversity of built heritage across the district.
The special interest of a conservation area comes from its architectural and historic interest, often discussed as its character and appearance. Whilst appearance covers the visual aspects of the area, whereas the character are the qualities which give the sense of the place, such as building materials, boundary treatments, plot sizes/open spaces, views, trees, or groups of buildings.
Further information
Historic England’s page on Living in a Conservation Area.
Whilst there are some restrictions on the works that can be undertaken within a conservation area, this does not mean that no development can occur.
However, development will only be considered acceptable in heritage terms if it preserves the special architectural and historic interest of the conservation area, in line with Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
Planning
Planning applications for development within conservation areas, including new buildings and alterations to existing buildings, should demonstrate how the proposals would preserve or enhance the character of the area. Special attention should be given to the design, scale and use of materials, so that the existing character of the area is not damaged.
Conservation Area status brings with it certain restrictions to the permitted development rights enjoyed by homeowners and businesses (such as the rights to carry out development without planning permission).
Here is a list of the types of residential development that may require planning permission within a conservation area. This list is not a definitive so if you're unsure if planning permission is required please use the Council’s pre-application advice service.
- Extensions to the side of a property
- Two-storey extensions to the rear of a property
- External cladding of a property (including stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles)
- Alterations to roofs for the enlargement of a property (including dormer windows)
- Windows and doors, in some limited circumstances
- Satellite dishes, antennae, chimneys, flues and other elements added to, and protruding from walls or roof slopes fronting the highway or forming the main or side elevation of a property
- The erection of some structures within the grounds of a property (including garages, sheds and outbuildings)
Demolitions
For the demolition of structures in conservation areas with volumes exceeding 115 cubic metres, an application for Conservation Area Consent is usually needed in addition to any other permissions required for subsequent development.
If a replacement structure is proposed, particularly where the structure it is proposed to demolish has some merit, the relative merits of the proposed replacement will need to be set against those of the existing structure. The two are not indivisible, and in such cases applications for Conservation Area Consent should not be made in isolation.
Trees
Owners of trees in conservation areas must give the council six weeks notice of their intention to carry out works (such as lopping, topping or felling) to a tree or trees before carrying out any works. Read more about working on protected trees.
Article Four (2) Directions will only be placed on conservation areas which are thought to be of considerable importance and with the support of the local community. Article Four (2) Directions on properties within conservation areas restrict the permitted development rights of the owners.
There two local Article Four directions:
- In Newnham Conservation Area to further protect a historic area and prevent inappropriate alterations, for example the introduction of uPVC windows in a historic building. This was approved by the Executive Committee on the 16 November 2006.
- On land off Redhouse Lane, Murrells Road and Smithy Close in English Bicknor which aims to protect designated important open areas from enclosure by walls or fences. This was agreed by the Development Control Committee on the 14 June 2011. View the map: