Conservation Areas & Maps
A Conservation Area is an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance’.
The first Conservation Areas in England were designated under The Civic Amenities Act 1967. Conservation Areas are now formally designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
It is the character of an area, rather than individual buildings, which designation seeks to preserve and Conservation Areas can include open land.
Planning Implications and Controls
Conservation Area designation recognises that the character of an area is worthy of preservation and enhancement. There are, therefore, more stringent planning controls and obligations in respect of new development, demolition and alteration, work to trees, work to the highway and advertisements.
New Developments
The designation of a Conservation Area does not mean that no new development can take place. It does mean that any new development should make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area. When considering proposals for new developments, the Council will aim to retain and enhance the character of the area. This can be assisted by development of good design and detailing, with due regard to the setting, and by the sympathetic conversion and adaptation, of existing buildings.
Demolition
Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of buildings, walls or other structures within Conservation Areas.
It may be an offence to demolish any building within a Conservation Area without consent. The main exceptions to this requirement are:-
- Small buildings of less than 115 cubic metres.
- Walls, fences and railings less than one metre high abutting to highway (including footpaths and bridleways) or less than two metres elsewhere.
- Agricultural and forestry buildings erected since 1914.
- Certain buildings used for industry.
Please note that although demolition of these features is permitted without Conservation Area Consent small buildings, walls and railings often make a considerable contribution to the character and appearance of a Conservation Area and their loss leads to environmental devaluation.
Applications for Conservation Area Consent should be made on forms available from Planning Support at Rutland County Council – there is no fee for applications for Conservation Area Consent.
Alterations
Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995, certain minor works are permitted without the need for planning approval and are known as ‘permitted development’. In Conservation Areas however, permitted development is restricted for dwelling houses and for developments within their curtilage, (that is the land or garden attached to the house).
In Conservation Areas, in addition to normal planning requirements, planning approval is also needed for the following:
- The use of external cladding, stone, artificial stone, timber, plastic or tiles.
- The enlargement of a dwelling by addition or the alteration of the roof.
- Satellite antennae (dishes) on walls or roofs, facing a highway or on chimneys.
- The extension of a dwelling by more than 50 cubic metres.
- The erecting of buildings of more than 10 cubic metres within the curtilage.
It is possible that works that may be permitted development require Building Regulations Approval and, in the case of Listed Buildings and their curtilage, Listed Building Consent.
Article 4 Directions
The Council is enabled, under the Permitted Development Order to make Article 4(1) and 4(2) Directions withdrawing ‘permitted development’ rights. This would include features which are important to the character of a Conservation Area and the range of permitted development that could be removed includes the removal of fences, the alterations of windows and doors, and the painting of a dwelling or of a building within its curtilage.
Before carrying out any work it is advisable to consult The Development Control Section of Rutland County Council to ascertain whether the work is permitted development and for advice on appropriate materials and design.
Trees
Trees within Conservation Areas are given special protection, and it is an offence to cut down, lop, top, or uproot a tree without giving at least six weeks prior notice in writing to the Development Control Section of the Rutland County Council, in order that consent for the work may be given, or a Tree Preservation Order placed upon the tree or trees. You must not carry out any work to a tree during that period without the written consent of the Council.
Certain works do not require consent. These include:
- Work to a dead, dying or dangerous tree which is in imminent danger. Notice is, however, still required in writing.
- Work being done by certain statutory undertakers.
- Work directly in the way of a development authorised by detailed planning approval.
- Work to a tree that is less than 75mm in diameter 1½ metres above the ground.
- Work to fruit trees in a commercial orchard.
As with buildings, it is advisable to consult the Development Control Section when considering any work to a tree. The above exceptions do not apply where a tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order.
Highway Works
Materials used for highway works and highway signs have a considerable impact on a Conservation Area. The Council endeavours, wherever possible, to use appropriate materials and detailing wherever possible.
Advertisements
Within a Conservation Area, all illuminated advertisements need consent and no advertisement is likely to obtain consent if it seriously detracts from the visual amenity of a Conservation Area.
Rutland's Conservation Areas
Designated Conservation Areas in Rutland are shown in the list below. Maps of each area (in PDF format) can also be viewed by clicking on the 'view map' link after each one. Conservation Area boundaries are shown on the maps as dashed purple lines (-----). Where there are two Conservation Areas (i.e. a standard one and an Article 4), the Article 4 is the inner one (usually around the village's historic core) and the standard one is usually around the outskirts.
Please be advised that this list and the accompanying maps are only intended to provide a rough guide. You are advised to contact Rutland County Council for a definitive answer as to whether or not a property is located within a Conservation Area.
Article 4 Conservation Areas are marked with an '*'.
01. Ashwell* (designated: 16/03/99, Article 4: 16/03/1999 amended 18/10/2004) view map of Ashwell
02. Ayston* (designated 08/10/1979, Article 4: amended 16/03/1999, amended 18/10/2004) view map of Ayston
03. Barrowden (designated: 08/10/1979, extended 16/03/1999) view map of Barrowden
04. Belton* (designated: 07/04/1975, extended 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004)view map of Belton
05. Braunston* (designated: 08/10/1979, extended 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004 view map of Braunston
06. Clipsham* (designated: 08/10/1979 Article 4: 30/03/2001 amended 18/10/2004) view map of Clipsham
07. Cottesmore (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Cottesmore
08. Edith Weston (designated: 22/12/1975) view map of Edith Weston
09. Egleton* (designated: 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004) view map of Egleton
10. Empingham (designated: 22/12/1975) view map of Empingham
11. Exton (designated: 15/06/1971) view map of Exton
12. Great Casterton (designated: 08/10/1979) view map of Great Casterton
13. Greetham (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Greetham
14. Hambleton (designated: 22/12/1975) view map of Hambleton
15. Ketton (designated: 1972, extended 22/12/1975) view map of Ketton
16. Langham* (designated: 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004) view map of Langham
17. Little Casterton & Tolethorpe* (designated: 16/11/1999 Article 4: 16/11/1999, amended 18/10/2004 view map of Little Casterton & Tolethorpe
18. Lyddington* (designated: 20/01/1970, extended 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004) view map of Lyddington
19. Market Overton (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Market Overton
20. Morcott (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Morcott
21. North Luffenham (designated: 09/03/1981, extended 15/06/1981) view map of N Luffenham
22. Oakham (designated: 15/06/1971, extended 27/02/1978, 07/10/1985 & 16/03/1999) view map of Oakham
23. Preston* (designated: 08/10/1979 Article 4: 20/09/2000, amended 18/10/2004) view map of Preston
24. Ridlington* (designated: 08/10/1979 Article 4: 17/11/1998, amended 18/10/2004) view map of Ridlington
25. Ryhall (designated: 06/12/1976) view map of Ryhall
26. Seaton* (designated: 16/11/1999 Article 4: 16/11/1999, amended 18/10/2004)view map of Seaton
27. South Luffenham (designated: 04/07/1977) view map of S Luffenham
28. Stretton* (designated: 22/06/2000 Article 4: 22/06/2000, amended 18/10/2004) view map of Stretton
29. Teigh* (designated: 18/10/2004 Article 4: 18/10/2004) view map of Teigh
30. Tickencote (designated: 03/04/1978) view map of Tickencote
31. Tinwell* (designated: 16/11/1999 Article 4: 16/11/1999, amended 18/10/2004)view map of Tinwell
32. Uppingham (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Uppingham
33. Whitwell (designated: 04/06/1979) view map of Whitwell
34. Wing (designated: 09/03/1981) view map of Wing
Other useful documents:
Ashwell Conservation Area - Character Appraisal - Consultation Draft December 2007 (PDF, 1464 Kb)
