The The Environment Agency [EA] have published maps indicating those sites which have been identified as flood risk zones. You can view this information on the Environment Agency web pages. You can also find out if your proposed planning application should be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment and if so what that Flood Risk Assessment should contain. Select this link to view the Government's Planning Policy Statement 25 – Development & Flood Risk

If a site has a history of industrial/commercial use or land fill, or lies adjacent to such a site, then any planning application will be expected at the least to be accompanied by a soil contamination desk-top study (to include the possibility of gas migration). Such a study may well recommend the need for further intrusive ground investigations, remediation measures or further monitoring. For further advice visit our Pollution control - contaminated land web pages

Gas Migration

There are three housing estates in the city where special gas protection measures have been put into place because they were built on former land-fill sites. Therefore, if you wish to extend your property at ground level or construct detached buildings with foundations in one of the these housing estates then you will need planning permission, you may only be able to build using specific construction techniques which do not disturb the protective membrane and you may possibly be required to undertake further gas protection measures.
The estates in question are:

• Coombe Park Estate.
• Coombe Fields.
• Land to the rear of Morrisons supermarket, Binley.

For further advice please select the following link to our Gas Protection measures advice pages

Air Quality Management

The City Council have declared three Air Quality Management Areas in which nitrogen dioxide targets are not being meet. This means that development proposals in and around those areas will require an air quality assessment. Further information can be found can be found on our Environment Advice web pages.

Tree Preservation Order

The City Council, as local planning authority, may in the interests of amenity, and if it considers it expedient, place a preservation order on a single tree, a group of trees or a woodland. Such an order (with limited exceptions) precludes any person from undertaking works to a tree without the express consent of the local planning authority.
Select the link to view a guide to the Law and Good Practice in relation to Tree Preservation Orders

Tree Preservation Orders: A Guide to the Law and Good Practice

Additional information is also available from our Tree Preservation Order web pages.

Conservation Areas

The City Council have declared 15 Conservation Areas which are areas of special architectural or historical interest and where the character and appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance. To find out more about whether you may live in a Conservation Area and what it may mean to you then please click on the following link - Conservation Areas

Listed Buildings

There are over 400 statutorily listed buildings in the city. Such buildings are given special protection and you will have to apply for listed building consent (normally in addition to planning permission) where works involve demolition or alterations or extension which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.

You can find out more about listed buildings and whether your property is listed by clicking on the following link - Listed Buildings

Archaeology

Coventry contains an exceptional range of archaeological remains dating from the prehistoric period to the 20th century. Therefore for the majority of sites in the City Centre it is likely that before any development can commence an agreed programme of archaeological investigation may need to be undertaken. This can also apply to other sites in the city where there are known historical settlements. For further details and advice please click on the following link - Archaeology

Article 4 Direction

Under provisions set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development)

Order 1995 [Article 4] a local planning authority can remove or restrict the permitted development rights in relation to a specific site or area. This means in effect that a planning application is required to be made for express permission for certain types or forms of development which would normally by permitted by the Order.
In Coventry there are two areas affected by Article 4 Directions:

Land at the corner of Washbrook Lane & Hawkes Mill Lane (pdf format 1.7MB)

Land at Stoneleigh Road (pdf format 103kb)

If you are proposing to undertake development in either of these two areas you are advised to contact the Planning Advisory Desk for more information (024) 7683 1212.

Removal of Permitted Development Rights

There may be instances where a local planning authority in assessing a development proposal determines that planning permission should only be granted if some or all of the normal subsequent permitted development rights be removed through a condition placed on the planning decision. This applies to many housing estates built since the 1960's and therefore if you are enquiring about a property built since 1960 then you are advised to contact the Planning Advisory Desk (024 7683 1212) for further information.