Building in aconservation area

“Article 2(3) land”

The GPDO treats conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes (AONBs), the Broads and World Heritage Sites together as Article 2(3) land. Each class of permitted development says what's different there. The effect is to keep modest, rear-facing work permitted and to require an application for anything that changes how a house looks from the street.

Still permitted development

• —Single-storey rear extensions up to 3 m (semi or terrace) or 4 m (detached) — but not the 6 m / 8 m prior approval route.
• —Porches up to 3 m².
• —Rooflights, projecting no more than 15 cm.
• —Garden rooms and sheds — but not between the side of the house and the boundary.
• —Roof solar panels, and heat pumps not facing the road.

Needs planning permission

• —Side extensions.
• —Rear extensions of more than one storey.
• —Dormers and other roof enlargements.
• —Cladding in stone, render, timber, plastic or tiles.
• —Demolishing a building over 115 m³, or a wall or fence over 1 m by a road (2 m elsewhere).

Trees need six weeks' notice

Cutting down or pruning a tree with a trunk over 7.5 cm across, measured 1.5 m above the ground, needs six weeks' notice to the council. That gives it time to decide whether to protect the tree with a Tree Preservation Order.