Conservation areas

We, as the local planning authority, designate conservation areas within our district.

However, there are many places within our towns and villages which have a special quality that the government feel is desirable to 'preserve or enhance'. This is carried out via a conservation area designation.

Before an area is designated, we will not only consider the number of listed buildings within the area. We will look at other special characteristics which contribute to the area's character and appearance, too.

These characteristics could be interesting street furniture, winding roads, the unity of the buildings, or other features.

Some unlisted historic buildings in conservation areas may be considered to be non-designated heritage assets - or may be included on a Local List.

It will be financially and visually rewarding for you to preserve and maintain any special features that your home has (whether it is listed, or not). Please remember that once an interesting feature has been lost, it may be impossible (or very expensive) to recreate it.

We have a duty to designate and appraise new conservation areas, where appropriate. We also sometimes reappraise existing designations.

Most of our current appraisals were made between 2008 - 2013. Historic England have since published guidance which sets the new standard for conservation area appraisals.

An appraisal of a conservation area involves careful assessment of the area's:

• geology
• topography
• archaeology
• history and listed buildings
• use of local materials
• trees and green spaces
• relationship to the countryside
• former uses
• detracting features (if any)

Most conservation areas will have interest which meets all of the above. However, some may have a particular local feature that's worth preserving.

Appraisals should also include a management plan, which sets out the future preservation and enhancement of the area. The plan should also be used when relevant planning decisions are made.

There are 31 conservation areas in Mid Suffolk.

We have adopted 31 conservation area appraisals as non-statutory supplementary planning guidance.

When we review planning applications, we give special consideration to the desire to preserve and enhance the area.

Planning applications in a conservation area must be advertised locally (both onsite, and in a local newspaper). Members of the public must be given 21 days to comment on them.

Local amenity groups are also invited to comment.

New development that is in or near a conservation area (such as new buildings, and additions or extensions to existing buildings) are subject to the usual requirements for planning permission.

Planning applications for new development will need to consider the preservation or enhancement of the local character and appearance of the conservation area - as well as its setting.

We ask applicants to include a Heritage Statement with any application that has the potential to impact on the conservation area.

We need schemes to be submitted with plans and elevations which show the new development in its setting - alongside details of siting, massing, construction materials, and architectural detailing.

Proposed development should relate well to its setting, in terms of scale and massing, and special attention should be given to the existing building line and historic patterns of development.

Features of the conservation area which contribute to its character and appearance (such as open or green spaces, or its relationship to the surrounding countryside) should be preserved.

Additions to unlisted dwellings (homes) should complement their form and character. The temptation to replicate historic forms, without respect for the context, can result in 'false historic' additions.

Please discuss your draft proposals on sensitive sites with our Heritage team, at the pre-application stage, so that we can provide you with specific and tailored guidance.

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 allows for some minor works to be carried out without formal planning permission - which makes them 'permitted development'.

However, if you live in a conservation area then you will need planning permission for some minor works that would be classed as permitted development elsewhere.

These works include:

• extensions located on side elevations, and extensions to the rear, which would be more than one storey and extend beyond the rear wall of the original dwelling
• enlargement of, or alterations to, the form of the roof
• cladding any of the elevations with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic, or tiles
• the installation of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe of a wall or roof slope, which fronts a highway or side elevation of a dwelling
• the installation of solar panels on a roof slope which fronts a highway
• the replacement of windows, if they are different in appearance

We may remove permitted development rights in a conservation area if Article 4(2) Directions is applicable.

We can use Article 4 Directions to exert tighter controls on changes to the outside of houses (that face a road or open space), which could damage the character and appearance of the conservation area.

They mean that you would need planning permission to carry out minor works that would normally be automatically permitted.

The works might be:

• door or window replacements
• porches
• other small extensions

Permitted development rights can also be removed by the conditions of a planning permission.

Article 4(2) Directions in Mid Suffolk

There is one conservation area in our district where Article4(2) Directions apply - it is in Felsham

Read the Direction made under Article 4(2) in Felsham.

Trees in conservation areas have special protection.

Access our interactive map to check which trees in our district have a Tree Preservation Order.

Please also read our interactive map's terms and conditions.

Find out more about trees in conservation areas