How long does it take to apply and gain approval within a conservation area?
We completely understand why this is such a popular question, but unfortunately there is no decisive answer. There are too many factors that can influence the approval time, including the backlog of submitted applications that are being worked through. However, there are some rough guidelines you can bear in mind:
Preparing the application – 2-3 weeks
Gathering the information for the application and understanding the requirements that need to be met can take a little time. We recommend allowing several weeks for this stage, as careful preparation is the best way to ensure your proposed works are in line with the planning authority’s guidelines.
Assessing the application – 8 weeks
Technically, the planning authority must return a decision within 8 weeks. However, this window will only start once someone has checked the application and marked it as complete. The decision date may also be delayed if additional information is needed. Applicants don’t have any control over this part of the process, so it’s important to understand that this is just part of applying for permission.