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.
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Call 0207 924 7303 to discuss planning permission for conservation areas in Camden.
Conservation areas in Camden
What is a conservation area?
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.
Why does Camden have conservation areas?
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.
Where are the conservation areas in Camden?
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.
Local conservation areas
- Alexandra Road Estate
- Bartholomew Estate
- Belsize
- Bloomsbury
- Camden Broadway
- Camden Square
- Camden Town
- Charlotte Street
- Dartmouth Park
- Denmark Street
- Elsworthy
- Eton
- Fitzjohns/Netherhall
- Fitzroy Square
- Hampstead
- Hanway Street
- Harmood Street
- Hatton Garden
- Highgate
- Holly Lodge Estate
- Inkerman
- Jeffreys Street
- Kelly Street
- Kentish Town
- Kings Cross / St. Pancras
- Kingsway
- Mansfield
- Parkhill and Upper Park
- Primrose Hill
- Priory Road
- Redington/Frognal
- Regent’s Canal
- Regent’s Park
- Rochester
- Seven Dials
- South Hampstead (formerly Swiss Cottage)
- South Hill Park Estate
- John’s Wood
- West End Green
- West Kentish Town
Speak to a member of our team
Do you live in a conservation area in Camden? Our team will be happy to help with any planning applications for your property. Call 0207 924 7303 or email info@sashwindows.london to tell us your requirements.
How does living in a conservation area affect Camden residents?
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:
- Demolition
- Alterations
- Changes of use
- Working on trees more than 75mm in diameter or 1.5 metres tall. 6 weeks’ notice is required.
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Additional restrictions
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:
- Belsize
- Fitzjohns Netherhall
- Hampstead
- Frognal Way
- Primrose Hill
- Swiss Cottage
- South Hill Park Estate
- Dartmouth Park
Gaining planning permission within one of Camden’s conservation areas
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.
How long does it take to apply and gain approval within a conservation area?
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:
Preparing the application – 2-3 weeks
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.
Assessing the application – 8 weeks
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.
What if my home is listed?
Listed buildings in Camden need Listed Building Consent from the council for almost any change to their windows, on top of any planning permission. We don’t carry out work on listed buildings, so if your home is listed, speak to the council’s conservation officer first. If your home is in a conservation area but isn’t listed, we can prepare and submit the planning application for you.
Do you live in one of Camden’s conservation areas?
Call 0207 924 7303 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.