What it means if your house in the conservation area is covered by an Article 4 Direction
The aim of the Article 4 Direction is to encourage retention of the high quality features of buildings in the Conservation Area and to enhance the environment of which they are part. 'Like for like' repairs and replacements of original architectural features will be encouraged, as will the removal of previous unsympathetic changes to buildings. Prior to the Article 4 Direction many unsympathetic changes could occur without the need for planning permission - they would have constituted "permitted development". Now a Direction is in force, planning permission is required for those items listed in the Order. The following notes indicate the approach the Council is likely to take in implementing an Order.
Alterations to Elevations
Material alterations to elevations will now require planning permission from the Council. Applications for porches, removal of architectural details, extensions and other works materially affecting the appearance of the building including satellite dishes will be treated on their merit. The Direction is not meant to cover very minor alterations such as burglar alarms (n.b. different controls apply to listed buildings). However, if you are in doubt please contact the Planning Officers listed below.
Roofs
A change of roof material will almost certainly require planning permission. If a roof is a pitched roof in a terrace or a group of buildings where natural slates dominate, re-roofing in natural slate will be called for. Where a roof is prominent, man-made (fibrous cement type) slates are not acceptable as an alternative to natural slate. Generally the retention of natural roofing materials is sought.
Roof Windows
Some roof lights do not greatly affect the character of a building and would be acceptable. Applications for dormer windows would be permitted only if they traditionally existed throughout a particular group of buildings. The bulk and design of a dormer would have to reflect that which previously existed or prevailed in the area, and was appropriate to your particular building.
Doors and Windows
The original period design of doors and windows contributes greatly to the character of the Conservation Area and they should be retained. The installation of replacement doors and windows in aluminium, in plastic, or in designs other than that which existed on principal elevations, would not receive permission, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Painting Facades
Good quality facing bricks were used throughout the Area and it is appropriate that they should remain exposed for this reason. Permission would not be granted for exterior painting of brickwork in areas covered by the Direction. Where a facade has already been painted, planning permission would not be required for repainting, or a change of colour, unless it materially alters the appearance.
Textured Paint and Render
Textured paint or render would not normally receive planning permission in areas where brick prevails.
Hardstandings and Curtilage Walls
It is recognised that householders will wish to provide space for vehicles on their sites wherever possible. However, some control is necessary to prevent cars from dominating the street scene and the setting of buildings. Proposals for vehicle hard standings should be refused unless they could be located or screened to minimise the impact on the surrounding area. Careful attention to paving and landscaping is required. Permission to erect a fence, wall or railing on the front curtilage boundary, would normally be approved if it was of a type which prevailed in the area.
In all cases apart from alterations to chimneystacks, permission would be required where the proposed development fronts onto a relevant location. 'Relevant location' means a highway (including footpaths), or open space. Corner plots will normally have two relevant frontages.
No fee needs be paid where an application for planning permission is required as a result of an Article 4 Direction.
Article 4 Direction Areas
The Council has so far introduced three Article 4 Directions in residential areas and of Ipswich. These have been the subject of extensive public consultation with the residents affected and enjoy widespread public support.
The properties affected by the Directions in the Norwich Road/Anglesea Road area are:
Alpe Street: 1-47, 2-40
Anglesea Road: 23-121, 6-54, 62-66
Ann Street: 1
Cardigan Street: 2
Ivry Street: 19-29
Newson Street: 3-13, 2
Norwich Road: 121-185, 120-172
Oban Street: 3-9, 8 & 10
Orford Street: 13-51, 10-78
Padget Road: 7-17, 27, 2-8
Redan Street: 1-15, 2-16
South Street: 2
The properties affected by the Directions in the Christchurch Street area are:
Christchurch Street: 25-41, 49, 55-65, 71-101, 28-40, 44-54, 62-70, 74, 78-112
Constable Road: 1-7
Gainsborough Road: 1-11, 4-16
Parkside Avenue: 1-5, 2-10
Tuddenham Road: 11, 11a, 15-37, 2-6, 12-26, 30-36, 40-62
Westerfield Rd: 1-41, 2-16, 26-48, 52, 54
The properties affected by the Directions in the Central Conservation Area are:
Bolton Lane: 1-51
The Walk Article 4 Direction
In addition to the three Article 4 Directions in residental areas there is a further Direction in place in The Walk and part of the Thoroughfare in the Central Conservation Area. The direction means that planninig permission is required for proposals to alter the colour of the timber shopfronts and to change the current yorkstone paving.
The properties affected by the Direction
Buttermarket; 3-7
The Walk; 2-24, 1-15
The Thoroughfare; 13-17, 14
Tavern Street; 16
The Direction is not intended to cover very minor alterations. However, if you are unsure whether any work you propose to carry out to your property requires planning permission please contact:
East Area for the Christchurch Street Article 4 Area
Mr P Sweet (Principal Planning Officer) - 01473 432911 or
(Senior Planning Officer) - 01473 432910
West Area for the Norwich Road/Anglesea Road Article 4 Area, Bolton Lane Area and The Walk
Mrs L Chandler (Principal Planning Officer) - 01473 432903 or
(Senior Planning Officer) - 01473 432905
Is my property in a Conservation area?