A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural or historic
interest, the character or appearance of which it is important to
preserve or enhance. They are often centred on listed
buildings, green spaces or historic streetscapes. It is the
character of the area as a whole, rather than individual buildings,
that the designation seeks to preserve or enhance.
Conservation Areas were first introduced in 1967 and it is the
Council who is responsible for their designation. There are
currently 39 conservation areas in the Braintree District.
The Braintree District Local Plan Review (2005) sets out
policies relating to development in Conservation Areas. The
emphasis is on the area as a whole, rather than only individual
buildings. The setting and grouping of buildings, the spaces
between buildings (both public and private), and trees all
contribute to the essential character of an area. Any
development should respect and enhance the character of the
area.
Recently Witham's Newland Street Conservation Area was reviewed
and changes to its extent and a management plan were approved
approved by by Witham Local Committee on 26th February
2008. A copy of the management plan and new extent of the
conservation area can be found below: -
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Witham Newland Street Conservation Area Appraisal and Management
Plan
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Map showing extent of Witham Newland Street Conservation
Area
Do I live in a Conservation Area?
You can check if your town or village has a Conservation Area by
clicking on the link below:
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Conservation Areas in Braintree District as at October 2008
If your town or village does have a Conservation Area you can
also check if your building falls within this area by checking the
proposals maps in the Braintree District Local Plan Review.
The following link will take you to a list of all the proposals
maps. A Conservation Area is indicated by a green dashed
line.
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http://www.braintree.gov.uk/local_plan/map_index.htm
Alternatively you can view the maps at the Council offices or we
can confirm this by telephone or email.
On November 20th 2007 extensions to the Halstead and Earls Colne
Conservation Areas were approved at the Halstead Local
Committee. The Conservation Areas have been extended at
Hedingham Road and Vicarage Meadow Halstead, and Burrows Road and
Halstead Road Earls Colne. Maps showing these extensions can
be viewed below: -
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Hedingham Road -
Vicarage Meadow -
Burrows Road -
Halstead Road
If do you live in a Conservation Area there are specific
restrictions, as indicated below.
Demolition
Conservation Area Consent (a similar process to a planning
application) is required to do the following:
Demolish a building with a volume of more than 115 cubic metres;
Demolish a gate, fence, wall or railing over 1m high where it
adjoins a highway or public open space; or over 2 metres high
elsewhere.
Planning Applications
Due to the need for new development to protect and enhance
the character of an area, information regarding siting, scale,
height, design, form and materials will usually be required to
accompany a planning application. This will enable the local
authority to make a detailed assessment of a proposal affecting a
Conservation Area.
Domestic Buildings
The extent of works that can be undertaken without the
need for planning permission (Permitted Development Rights) is
reduced for domestic buildings within Conservation Areas. You
will need to apply for planning permission for certain types of
work, including most external changes, which do not need an
application in other areas. Relatively minor works such as
painting, the removal of doors and windows and the paving of a
front garden can affect a Conservation Area. Always check
with the Development Control department before undertaking any
work.
Trees
Trees in Conservation Areas are also protected. An
application should be made to the Council’s Landscape Services
department for the cutting down, uprooting, topping or lopping of a
tree having a diameter greater than 75mm (or the cutting down or
uprooting of a tree having a diameter greater than 100mm in order
to improve the growth of other trees) measured at a point 1.5
metres above ground level.
Satellite Dishes
Satellite dishes and antenna are not permitted on a chimney,
wall or roof slope which both faces onto and is visible from a
road.
Article 4 Directions
The Council also has the power to introduce an Article 4
Direction if there is a need for further specific protection. These
remove some of your permitted development rights and mean that
planning permission will be needed for work which does not normally
need it. These are most common in Conservation Areas.
The direction means greater control for alterations and additions.
You will probably know if your property is affected by such a
direction, but you can check with the Council if you are
unsure.
Silver End
The village of Silver End was founded between 1926 and 1932 as a
‘garden village’ and is recognised as holding an important place in
the history of modern architecture and planning. However, the
character and appearance of the village was eroded over the years
as a result of unsympathetic alterations and extensions.
Therefore in 1983 Braintree District Council introduced an Article
4 Direction for the Silver End Conservation Area. The ‘Silver
End Conservation Guide’ sets out the full list of work that
requires planning permission.
Click to view a copy of the Silver End Conservation
Guide
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Silver End Conservation Guide