Planning Permission Granted for Extension in Coggeshall's Conservation Area

Braintree District Council has approved an extension to an existing building within the Conservation Area of Coggeshall, Essex. The proposed scheme sought the removal of an existing conservatory. The extension comprised a full width extension with a roof lantern.

Any work within involving an historic asset or within a Conservation Area requires a careful design approach to respect the historic context. In this case, the Council’s Conservation Officer recognised that the proposed works would result in an enhancement to the existing dwelling, with very limited impact upon the views from within and into the Coggeshall Conservation Area.

The Council’s planning officer also accepted that the due to the design, scale and siting, the proposed extension would be proportionate to an in keeping with the existing dwelling.  The planning officer also accepted that the proposed works would have no material impact on neighbouring amenity.

What is a Conservation Area and how will it affect my development project?

A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, which are often designated due to their physical appearance and historical associations.

Under planning legislation, the local planning authority has a duty to 'pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area'. This has implications for the planning application process and often means that the design of any development within a Conservation Area comes under a greater level of scrutiny.

Planning applications in Conservation Areas are often required to be submitted with further detail, either in a Design and Access Statement or a Heritage Assessment, that justifies the proposed works and assesses the impact of the proposed development on the character of the Conservation Area.

Some Conservation Areas have also had their permitted development rights for householders removed. This means that some minor developments which do not normally require planning permission, for example some extensions and alterations, may now need planning permission.

If you have a development project within in historic area or involving an historic building, please contact us at mail@adpltd.co.uk, for further advice.

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