by Ray George
Most residents know that the Article 4 Direction requires planning permission for alterations to the front and side elevations of the house, but does not say anything about the rear elevation. So on the rear, we have the same development rights as people not living in a conservation area? Right?
No wrong!
In September 2012, David Cameron announced an infamous decision to relax the planning rules to allow extensions of double the size, without planning permission. After a House of Commons revolt, a scheme for consulting neighbours was introduced. This was implemented by regulations that came into force on 30th May 2013. These continue until 30th May 2019 in the current General Permitted Development Order (2015 No. 596) but it says “not on Article 2(3) land”. So what is “Article 2(3) land”? Schedule 1 of the order tells us that, among others, it is land in a conservation area.
There are a number of other places where general permitted development is different in a conservation area (again referred to as Article 2(3) land) for example, not adding cladding or no enlargement of the roof. Specific reference is made to conservation areas in Part 11, Heritage and Demolition and Part 14, Renewable Energy.