Conservation Area Designation

How does Conservation Area Designation affect you?

In a conservation area it is the whole area, made up of the buildings and the spaces in between them, that is of architectural or historic interest. Planning control is therefore directed at maintaining the integrity of the entire area and enhancing its special character.

Conservation area status does not mean that new development is always unacceptable, but that care must be taken to ensure that new development will preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the area.

Works under Planning control

Conservation area designation automatically brings the following works under planning control:

• Demolition of buildings
• Development involving small house extensions
• Roof alterations
• Stone cleaning or painting of the exterior
• Provision of hard surfaces
• Satellite dishes
• Window and exterior door replacement
• New gates, walls, fences, sheds, garages and porches
• Renewal, alteration or replacement of commercial/shop frontages
• New signage or advertising on commercial units
• Trees are also automatically protected and you must give the council 6 weeks notice in writing or via Email of the intended works.

It is recognised that not only do large changes, such as the demolition of buildings, threaten the special qualities of our conservation areas. Small, incremental changes, can also significantly erode the quality and appearance of the historic buildings and spaces that contribute to the character of the Conservation Area. Insensitive new developments and removal of original features can harm the appearance of the area as much as overgrown gardens and crumbling masonry.

This is why it is important that works such as painting of buildings, changes to windows and doors, the addition of extensions or conservatories, the demolition of outbuildings and boundary walls and alterations to shop fronts, fascias and shop signs are done in a sensitive way.  Advice on how to go about such work is available at www.glasgow.gov.uk/planning.

Your Role

Owners and occupiers have a central role to play in protecting the quality of each conservation area. Regular maintenance is the single best way of extending the life and value of your property and also helps protect the special appearance of your area. Regular clearing of gutters, repair of leaky down pipes, re-pointing of stonework, painting of windows and the replacement of broken or missing slates will all help keep your building wind and watertight and prevent decay.

Checklist

Owners should search on the Council's website to bring up all property details associated with an address and to check if they are in a Conservation Area on the Property Search register or if their property is a listed building before commencing any work.

If you are in doubt as to whether you require Planning Permission please consult the City Design team. Unauthorised alterations are liable to enforcement action by the Council and may result in fines. Under current legislation, property owners seeking to sell their property will require in their Home Report to declare if alterations to their properties have been authorised by the Local Authority, or seek retrospective approval for the works.

Communal fabric repairs such as re-roofing, stone cleaning and stone repair will generally also require Planning Permission and Listed Building consent where applicable. Co-owners/factors are advised to contact the Planning Department in the first instance regarding such works to determine what permissions are necessary in advance.