If your property is located within a conservation area, you’ll need to comply with stricter planning controls in order to make any alterations. Around 50% of Camden is covered by conservation areas, making it important for local residents to familiarise themselves with any restrictions that apply their homes. If you need to seek planning permission for a home improvement project and require support, our team will be happy to help.
Call 020 8131 2886 to discuss planning permission for conservation areas in Camden.
A conservation area is a measure that designates a particular area of land as having historic significance or a unique architectural character. It restricts the alterations that a property owner can make to their property without first obtaining planning permission. However, Camden Council is clear – a conservation area is not intended to stop future development, only to ensure that new buildings preserve the character of their surroundings.
As with other London boroughs, Camden uses conservation areas to preserve its architectural heritage for future generations. By identifying these areas as being of special importance, close attention is paid to their appearance so that these unique features aren’t lost over time.
There are 40 conservation areas in Camden to be aware of if you live in the area. They demonstrate the variety and wide-ranging architectural appeal of the borough.
Do you live in a conservation area in Camden? Our team will be happy to help with any planning applications for your property. Call 020 8131 2886 or email info@sashwindows.london to tell us your requirements.
As living in a conservation area means that additional restrictions apply to your property, it is important to familiarise yourself with the relevant planning guidelines. These can be found on the local authority website. As a general note, planning permission will always be needed in these areas for:
You will also need to check whether an Article 4 Direction has been applied to your conservation area. This expands the scope of planning permission by removing permitted development rights. They seek to ensure that historic features are preserved and repaired, not replaced. In Camden the following areas are covered by Article 4 Directions:
We know that most homeowners are unfamiliar with planning applications and we’re here to provide expert assistance. We’re able to handle the process from start to finish and have extensive experience dealing with local planning authorities. In fact, we’ve submitted more than 300 applications and have achieved a 100% success rate for applications within conservation areas. By working with us, you can be confident that everything will be in place for your home improvement project or new sash window installation.
There is no guaranteed window for approval, as factors like the backlog of submitted applications can extend the process. However, during our time working with planning authorities we’ve been able to put together some rough timings you can use as a guide:
Planning applications can be complex, so it’s best to allocate several weeks to preparation. This allows you to familiarise yourself with the complex requirements and ensure they are being met within your proposed works.
The planning authority has 8 weeks to make a decision on an application. However, there are a number of workarounds that they can use to give themselves some flexibility. Crucially, the clock only starts once they check the application and mark it as complete. Then, if they request extra details, this can delay the decision date. Unfortunately, this is part of the nature of planning applications and must be accepted by applicants.
There are two categories of listed buildings to be aware of, as planning controls affect them differently. The London Borough of Camden has more than 5,600 buildings on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), as well as many others which are locally listed.
Locally listed buildings are decided by the council and are chosen for the unique contribution they make to Camden’s character. These are buildings that are valued by locals, but which don’t have to comply with any additional planning controls. A building on the local list is considered significant and any planning applications will need to take account of this and preserve this status.
These buildings are listed because they are deemed to be of national interest. As a result, the strictest possible planning controls apply to any proposed alterations and Listed Building Consent (LBC) must be obtained. These restrictions apply to every aspect of the building, internally and externally. It is a criminal offence to alter a nationally listed building without first obtaining LBC. The process is extremely in depth and will take at least 12-18 weeks. The scale of the proposed works isn’t taken into account as the same process is followed regardless.
This process represents the strictest possible planning restrictions and requires the applicant to work closely with the planning authority to gain approval. Lots of back and forth is needed, and additional information is often requested to support the application. In most cases, multiple applications are required to gain approval under such strict criteria. Wandsworth Sash Windows is happy to manage the process on your behalf. We’ve compiled a guide to Listed Building services and will be able to help you find the most effective route towards gaining approval.
Call 020 8131 2886 or email info@sashwindows.london to discuss your requirements with a member of our team. We’ll be happy to help you with your application for planning permission.
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