Conservation areas are rich in the physical evidence of the past, which contributes to our sense of wellbeing. They are living environments that need careful management to ensure their character and appearance is safeguarded and enhanced.
What role do we play in conservation area management?
Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires us (as the local planning authority) to give special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing conservation areas - in Local Development Plan policies and when determining planning applications within or adjacent to a conservation area.
This statutory duty is reiterated within Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales and Technical Advice Note 24 ‘The Historic Environment’ where there is general presumption in favour of the preservation and enhancement of the character and appearance of an area.
These documents also emphasise a strong presumption against the granting of planning permission for development, including advertisements, which would damage the character or appearance of an area to an unacceptable level.
Greater care is therefore necessary in considering the design and choice of materials for new work, alterations and repairs to ensure that a scheme preserves or enhances an area’s special interest.
Planning controls within conservation areas
To aid conservation area management stricter planning controls exist, these controls include:
Article 4(2) directions in Wrexham County Borough
There are currently 12 article 4(2) directions in operation within 11 conservation areas in Wrexham County Borough. These are:
- Bangor on Dee
- Cefn Mawr
- Chirk
- Fairy Road
- Gerald Street (within Grosvenor Road conservation area)
- Grenville Terrace (within Ruabon conservation area)
- Holt
- Overton
- Pontcysllte Aqueduct
- Rossett
- Ruabon
- Salisbury Park
Making a planning application for works controlled under an article 4(2) direction
We would always advise that you discuss your proposals with our planning department before submitting an application. You may find our pre-application advice service useful, particularly if you require more specialist information before applying for planning permission.
You can make a planning application online via Planning Applications Wales.
There is no fee for applications required solely as a result of the article 4(2) direction.