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Conservation areas are defined as an area of special architectural or historic interest where the original appearance is preserved or enhanced. Most of Wiltshire's conservation areas are made up of historic parts of towns and villages with some others including special landscapes such as the canal corridor at Wilcot.
Most conservation areas have a high concentration of historic buildings, many of which are listed. The character of a conservation area is not defined by these buildings alone. The setting, location, features and open spaces also have a large part to play. Good partnership working between relevant authorities is required to protect the local character and positively reinforce change.
Planning controls are more restrictive within conservation areas. It may be necessary to apply for planning permission for some building works that would normally be considered for permitted development. This includes restrictions on:
the size of some extensions and garden buildings
additions and alterations to roofs, including dormers
cladding the outside of buildings
satellite dishes in prominent positions
most hoardings
illuminated advertisements
The exact rules are complex so it is always best to seek advice from a professional or the local planning authority at:
Consent will be required to demolish most buildings and some structures in conservation areas. This also applies to demolishing an existing structure to replace with a replica. To gain consent for demolition, please complete and submit the application.
Demolition where consent is required and has not been obtained, is a criminal offence and liable to prosecution.
Small improvements like replacing windows or stained hardwood doors (which wouldn't normally require permission for unlisted domestic buildings) can spoil the character of historic streets. Where unlisted buildings define the character of a street, the local planning authority will consider making an Article 4(2) Direction which would bring some forms of 'permitted development' under planning control. It is always worth checking with the local authority whether consent is required.
Additional regulations apply to most trees growing within conservation areas. Anyone wanting to fell or prune a tree or carry out other work which could damage a tree must inform the local planning authority at least six weeks in advance.
During this time the team will consult the local town or parish council and if necessary, serve a Tree Preservation Order. For more information please visit the our Trees and hedges page.
Government legislation requires that special attention is given to conservation areas and their enhancement. The local planning authority will apply special criteria when assessing planning applications in these areas.
All planning applications affecting conservation areas are advertised so the local community can comment on any new development applications. Where large scale development is proposed, a wide range of consultations will be carried out and English Heritage will be notified.
In most cases, applications with detailed drawings of the development and outline planning applications will be accepted. To judge the proposal, it is important that your application shows how proposed development will relate to neighbouring buildings.
Village conservation is not about preventing change but ensuring any proposed changes reinforce an areas established character and appearance. Proposals for new buildings, extensions or alterations to existing buildings and changes of use will be considered carefully and expected to meet a high standard of design. The local planning authority will also consider any published conservation area appraisals and management proposals for the locality.
These are plans prepared and kept up to date as a record of an area's special architectural or historic interest. They set out how the area or place has evolved and identify the key features of it character that have helped to justify its designation as a conservation area.
A clear plan helps to reduce uncertainty for owners when investment or development in the area is being considered. Copies of our conservation area appraisals are available to view at the council offices in County Hall, Trowbridge or to download from this page.
The designation of a conservation areas requires the planning authority pays special attention to preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the conservation area.
The planning authority is required to create and review management proposals for conservation areas. Proposals will be based on the conservation area appraisal and the special features it identifies.
Conservation area appraisals and management plans are prepared and kept up to date as a record of an area's special architectural or historic interest. They set out how the area or place has evolved and identify the key features of it character that have helped to justify its designation as a conservation area. A clear plan helps to reduce uncertainty for owners when investment or development in the area is being considered.
Appraisals or statements are available for many of the council's conservation areas. With the exception of a small number of more recent documents, these were adopted as additional guidance under the former district councils' Local Plans and date from the mid-1990s onwards. In many of the rural areas the pace of change has been modest and the appraisals remain largely relevant. Even in urban areas that have undergone a greater level of change, they contain useful background and descriptive information and remain a material consideration in decision making.
They also provide essential background information for owners and those undertaking general research as well as for those planning new development in an area or involved in neighbourhood planning.
North Wiltshire; formerly North Wiltshire District Council
Allington; date adopted: January 2002
Ashton Keynes; January 1998
Calne; February 2000
Chippenham (archive statement); December 2004
Chippenham (appraisal); November 2007
Chippenham (management plan); April 2010
Corsham; July 1998
Lea; October 2005
Little Somerford; July 2002
Malmesbury (appraisal); April 2007
Malmesbury (management plan); February 2010
Rowden; January 1997
Sherston; January 1997
Central Wiltshire; formerly Kennet District Council
Aldbourne; June 2003
All Cannings; March 2003
Alton; October 2006
Avebury; November 2003
Axford; June 2003
Baydon; June 2002
Bishops Cannings; November 2002
Broad Hinton; September 2007
Bromham; June 2002
Brunton; October 2006
Burbage; February 2008
Charlton; October 2006
Chilton Foliat; November 2003
Chirton; November 2003
Chisbury; October 2006
Chute Cadley/Lower Chute; March 1994
Collingbourne Ducis; September 2002
Collingbourne Kingston; March 2004
Devizes; September 2005
Devizes Victoria Road Quarter; September 2007
East Chisenbury; February 2007
Eastcourt; February 2008
Easterton; September 2003
East Grafton; March 2005
East Kennett; June 2004
Easton Royal; September 2004
Enford; February 2007
Erlestoke; September 2002
Etchilhampton; March 2004
Fittleton and Haxton; September 2004
Froxfield; February 2007
Fyfield (nr. Pewsey); June 2004
Great Bedwyn; March 2007
Great Cheverell; October 2003
Ham; January 2005
Hilcott; January 1994
Little Bedwyn; March 2003
Little Cheverell; September 2007
Lockeridge; June 2003
Ludgershall; March 2007
Manton ; June 2003
Marden ; September 2003
Market Lavington; June 2002
Marlborough; June 2003
Marston; February 2008
Mildenhall; June 2004
Milton Lilbourne; June 2004
Netheravon; June 2002
Oare; January 2005
Ogbourne St. Andrew; June 2004
Ogbourne St. George; September 2004
Oxenwood; January 2003
Pewsey; March 2007
Pewsey - Wilcot Road; March 2007
Potterne; September 2008
Poulshot; September 2004
Ramsbury; June 2003
Seend; March 2005
Shalbourne; January 2003
Stert; September 2007
Tidcombe; March 2005
Upavon; November 2003
Upper Chute; September 1996
Urchfont; June 2002
Wedhampton; September 2002
West Kennett; November 2003
West Lavington & Lit. Pannell; January 2003
Wilcot; January 2005
Wilsford; June 2004
Wilton; March 2005
Woodborough; January 1993
Wootton Rivers; March 2004
Worton; November 2003
West Wiltshire; formerly West Wiltshire District Council
Bradford on Avon; December 2000
Avoncliff; undated c.1990s
Bishopstrow; undated c.1990s
Bratton; undated c.1990s
Broughton Gifford; undated c.1990s
Edington; undated c.1990s
Heytesbury; undated c.1990s
Hilperton; undated c.1990s
Holt; undated c.1990s
Horningsham; undated c.1990s
Keevil; undated c.1990s
Monkton Farleigh; undated c.1990s
Newtown - Trowbridge; undated c.1990s
South Wraxall & Lower Wraxall; undated c.1990s
Stockton; undated c.1990s
Sutton Veny; undated c.1990s
Trowbridge; March 2006
Turleigh; undated c.1990s
Tytherington; undated c.1990s
Warminster; April 2007
Westwood; undated c.1990s
Winsley; undated c.1990s
South Wiltshire; formerly Salisbury District Council
Amesbury; October 2008
Britford; December 2014
Broadchalke; February 2009
Dinton; February 2009
Durrington; February 2009
Downton; February 2009
Hindon; February 2009
Milford Hill; December 2014
Old Manor Hospital; July 2013
Old Sarum Airfield; February 2007
Salisbury City; December 2014
Steeple Langford; February 2009
Tisbury; February 2009
Wylye; February 2009
Article 4 directions
Most residential properties have permitted development rights which allow property owners to make minor alterations. A range of works to normal dwelling houses are usually allowed through a planning permission blanket called the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) 1995 (opens new window). This means some areas are vulnerable to uncontrolled changes. Even a succession of small changes can have a detrimental impact on a conservation areas appearance and character.
Following a survey of the state of England's conservation areas, English Heritage have advised that local authorities should ensure adequate planning control is in place using Article 4 directions. This guidance is reinforced in the government's Planning Policy Statement in relation to the historic environment (PPS5).
Where there is firm evidence that permitted development is damaging the character or appearance of a conservation area, or is likely to, the planning authority will consider making an Article 4(2) direction to bring specific changes and alterations under control. The homeowner will then require planning permission for any of the changes outlined in the direction although the application fee is waived.
Article 4(1) directions can be made for areas outside of conservation areas or for different classes of buildings within conservation areas. An amendment to the GPDO in 2010 removed the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve all Article 4(1) directions, making their implementation much simpler. The amendment also requires that these directions are made subject to public consultation (except for certain types that can be made immediately) and requires site notices to be made for all types of directions.
Buildings at Risk (BAR)
A Building at Risk (BAR) is a building that is known to be at risk through neglect or decay. In 1998, English Heritage created a 'National buildings at risk strategy' and published a national register of buildings at risk covering all grade I and II* listed buildings and ancient scheduled monuments (opens new window).
This register was combined with the register for London to create English Heritage's 'Heritage at Risk Register' which provides a more holistic view of the historic environment. The register now also includes conservation areas, parks and gardens, battlefields, shipwrecks and places of worship.
