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What is a conservation area?

A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historical interest where the character and appearance needs to be protected or improved.

There are 18 conservation areas in Coventry. These areas are all different, but have buildings, structures or features of historic or architectural value in them that create a special environment.

Making an area a conservation area shows the Council is committed to these areas and to protecting them. We decide whether a conservation area is created, but carry out full research and consultation with people living and owning property in the area. Conservation areas are not museums but living communities, and so the aim is to guide and control development rather than prevent it.

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

Conservation area policy

Our policies on conservation areas are set out in the Coventry Development Plan. Our aim is to preserve significant buildings in conservation areas and to make sure that any development protects or improves the special character of those areas. We have powers under planning law, which can help us do this.

These include powers to:

  • Control new development - We ask for a very high standard of design, which is sympathetic to the existing environment. New development must make a positive contribution to the character of the area.
  • Control minor development - In a conservation area you need planning permission for certain changes to buildings, which would normally be allowed under permitted development rights. You should always ask advice from a Conservation Officer when thinking of alterations or extensions.
  • Control demolition - Conservation area consent is needed for the demolition of all or part of most buildings and structures, including walls and outhouses. As a general rule, buildings that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area, will be kept.
  • Protect trees - Anyone planning to cut down, reduce the height or canopy of a tree over a certain size in a conservation area, whether or not it is covered by a tree preservation order, has to give six weeks' notice.
  • Control advertisements - Special restrictions apply to the display of adverts in conservation areas.
  • Control of satellite dishes - Special restrictions apply to putting up satellite dishes in conservation areas.
  • Carry out urgent work - We have the power to carry out urgent work needed to preserve any vacant building that has fallen into serious disrepair, and to recover the cost from the owner.

We also have guidance for shop fronts and advertisements in conservation areas [/downloads/download/3258/design_guidance_on_shop_fronts_for_conservation_areas_and_historic_buildings].

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

List of conservation areas

Coventry has 18 conservation areas. If you want to find out if your property is in a conservation area please download one of the conservation area maps [/downloads/download/904/conservation_area_maps]. These are also shown on our online planning map [/planningmap].

All of Coventry's conservation areas are listed here, along with the dates that they were declared.

  1. Allesley Village - declared 20 December 1968, extended 29 November 1994.
  2. Kenilworth Road - declared 20 December 1968, extensions agreed 6 September 1978 with effect from 10 October 1978, minor extensions/boundary adjustments approved 6 January 2004.
  3. Stoke Green, - declared 20 December 1968, extension (allotments south of Binley Road and south west of Stoke Green) and other minor boundary adjustments approved 6 January 2004.
  4. Greyfriars Green - declared 8 August 1969, extended 6 April 1977.
  5. Hill Top - declared 8 August 1969, 'outstanding' status given 14 December 1976 (since discontinued), minor boundary adjustment approved 6 January 2004 and further boundary amendments approved 11 December 2014..
  6. Lady Herbert’s Garden and the Burges - declared 8 August 1969 extended 6 April 1977, minor boundary adjustment approved 6 January 2004, and the boundary amended for a third time 11 December 2014.
  7. Spon Street - declared 8 August 1969, extension to north (including Ryley Street, with parts of Bond Street, Hill Street, Lower Holyhead Road, and Watch Close) and other minor boundary adjustments approved 6 January 2004.
  8. Hawkesbury Junction - declared 14 September 1976, jointly with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, ratified by West Midlands County Council in October 1976.
  9. Chapelfields - declared 9 November 1976.
  10. London Road - declared 5 April 1977, given 'outstanding' status 7 October 1977 (since discontinued, but the Cemetery is now also on the English Heritage Parks and Gardens register).
  11. High Street - declared 12 October 1982 (contiguous with Hill Top Conservation Area).
  12. Ivy Farm Lane (Canley Hamlet) - declared 16 November 1989, minor boundary adjustments approved 6 January 2004.
  13. Far Gosford Street - declared 21 October 1992
  14. Naul's Mill - declared 10 September 2003
  15. Spon End - declared 10 September 2003
  16. Coventry Canal - declared 19 June 2012
  17. Earlsdon - Approved at Planning Committee 15 September 2022, enacted 21 November 2022
  18. Brownshill Green - Approved at Planning Committee 15 September 2022, enacted 21 November 2022

 

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

Living in a conservation area

If you live in a conservation area, you must make sure that any changes you make to your property through repairs, maintenance or alterations, are in keeping with the character of the building and the area. You should take care to match original materials and methods of construction and avoid damaging or removing features of historic or architectural value.

Unsympathetic alterations, for example, replacing original windows with UPVC windows or windows of a different design, removing chimneys or changing the original roofing materials may not only spoil the appearance of the conservation area, but may also significantly reduce the value of the property. Independent studies show that houses with their original period features can sell for more than those which have been unsympathetically modernised.

Whilst some alterations may be carried out without the need for planning permission, some conservation areas have restricted permitted development rights.

You can check whether you need any other permissions before starting work using these resources:

We have information about our Conservation map on our online planning map [https://maps.coventry.gov.uk/connect/analyst/mobile/#/main?mapcfg=planning]. If you are on a Coventry City Council network, please use this internal link for the online planning map [https://maps.coventry.gov.uk:8010/connect/analyst/mobile/#/main?mapcfg=planning].

For householder and Urban Design guidance for developments in Coventry we have the Coventry Local Supplementary Planning Documents Design Guides [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/111/planning_policy/3600/coventry_local_plan_2011-2031/2].

If you are you are unable to find the required information, our conservation officers may be able to advise you and your builder about the best methods and materials to be used in repairing and maintaining your property, for example, they can recommend types of brick or roofing materials that are in keeping with the property and the area.

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

What type of permission do I need?

There are several types of permission you may need if you live in a conservation area. You should always check if you need permission before starting any work and contact Development Control [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/110/planning/1334/do_i_need_planning_permission/2] if you have any queries.

In a conservation area you may need planning permission [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/planningapplications] and building regulations approval [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/buildingcontrol] for some alterations and extensions, which would normally be permitted, and conservation area consent if you want to carry out demolition work. 

Not all conservation areas have an Article 4 Direction, but where they do exist you will need to get planning permission [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/planningapplications] before you carry out the works they control. This might relate to replacement windows, the demolition of front garden walls, roof extensions, or other alterations.

Your building may also be listed and you may need listed building consent. [https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/consents/lbc] In this case there are special restrictions that apply.

Works in certain conservation areas may also have archaeological implications.

Trees in conservation areas

Trees over a certain size in conservation areas are protected. You will need permission to carry out any works to trees and you must give us six weeks' notice of any work that you want to carry out. It is a criminal offence to cut, lop, uproot, wilfully damage or fell any tree in a conservation area without permission. The maximum penalty is a £20,000 fine in the Magistrates Court, or an unlimited fine in the Crown Court.

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

Article 4 Directions

Article 4 Directions are one of the tools available to local planning authorities which allow them to respond to the particular needs of their areas.

They provide local planning authorities with the ability to restrict ‘permitted development’ rights which would otherwise apply by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (“the GPDO”) where it is considered expedient to do so.

An Article 4 Direction does not stop development. Instead, it requires planning permission to be obtained from the local planning authority so the planning impacts of the development can be considered before a decision is taken on whether it can proceed. 

Article 4 (1) or (2) direction gives extra protection to certain conservation areas. They help to protect the character and appearance of the area by safeguarding features that make a positive contribution. More information on areas covered by Article 4 in Coventry can be found at  Article 4 directions [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/225/article_4_directions] .

Not all conservation areas have an Article 4 Direction, but where they do exist you will need to get planning permission [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/planningapplications] before you carry out the works they control. This might relate to replacement windows, the demolition of front garden walls, roof extensions, or other alterations.

Article 4 directions may be used to ensure planning applications are made for the demolition of a non-designated heritage asset such as a locally listed building outside of a conservation area, by removing the demolition rights under Schedule 2, Part 11 of the GPDO.  

In accordance with government legislation the local planning authority must as soon as practicable after a direction has been confirmed (a)give notice of their confirmation; and (b)send a copy of the direction as confirmed to the Secretary of State. 

Heritage Statement - guidance document

A Heritage Statement describes a heritage asset, their significance and the proposed works that are being applied for. When a planning application seeks permission for a development which would affect a heritage asset, a Heritage Statement would be required to justify the impact upon the value or ‘significance’ heritage asset and its setting.

 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2012 (updated 2019) [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/16-conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment] defines the terms below for use with regards to heritage assets and heritage policy.

Heritage asset

A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).

Significance (when used with regards to heritage policy)

The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting.

Setting of a heritage asset

The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.

When you must submit a Heritage Statement

If a planning application seeks permission for a proposed development affecting a heritage asset or its setting; this would include applications for:

  1. A development to a Listed building
  2. A development in the setting/adjacent to a listed building
  3. A development to properties (Inc. outline) in a conservation area, and
  4. A development in the setting of, or adjacent to, a conservation area, and
  5. A development in the setting of, or adjacent to, a scheduled monument

Information included in a Heritage Statement

A heritage statement should outline the overall significance of the building, conservation area, neighbouring heritage assets and its setting. This should outline what is of high, medium and low significance, adding to the understanding of the building and how it has changed over time. A heritage statement should include more than a copy of the buildings listed description; however, this is a good start. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance (NPPF para.189) [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/16-conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment]. In addition, the heritage statement should assess the potential impact the proposal has on the significance of the building. This can be done in a table form, outlining each element of the proposal,as is shown in the below example:

Elements of a proposal

Feature

Description

Significance

Proposed Works

Possible Impact

Justification or Mitigation

External Wall (kitchen)

Timber framed external wall

High

Create an opening to access proposed extension

Loss of fabric

Opening between existing timber

Kitchen units

Modern kitchen units

Low

Replacement of the existing kitchen units with new. Including relocating sink etc

None

Better use of the space of the room. Any new services will be located discreetly

External render

Modern cement render, areas have cracked and blown.

Low

Careful removal of existing damaged render. Repair laths and render with lime.

Positive impact – allows the building to breath

Help to resolve damp issues within the building.

Replacement of existing 1970s extension

Single storey flat roofed modern utility extension

Low

Replace existing extension with a slightly larger extension

Positive visual impact

The design and scale of the extension has been considered to be appropriate for the needs of the owners and does not dominate the listed building.

Feature

Identify all heritage features affected by the proposed development. Description – Detail the feature with regards to its age, design and quality.

Significance

Identify the value of the historical significance of the feature. Proposed works – Detail the proposed works and how they will impact each particular feature.

Possible Impact

Evaluate the impact upon the heritage asset.

Justification/Mitigation

Justify the proposed works, or detail mitigation measures to limit the harm caused by the proposed development.

Further information on assessment of significance and assessing the potential impact of a proposal on that significance, including setting, can be found in (or their future updates):

For a Listed Building consent application and Conservation area planning applications the following information is required:

  • Completed application form
  • Ownership certificate and agricultural land declaration
  • Site location plan
  • Heritage (Design and Access) Statement
  • Block/Site plan
  • Existing and proposed plans & elevations
  • Existing and proposed sections photographic record
  • Schedule of works
  • Archaeological Assessment (only if your site is within an Archaeological Constraint Area).

This template has been prepared to guide applicants and their agents in preparing heritage statements or statements of heritage significance.  As required by the NPPF, the detail of statements must be proportionate to the significance of the asset and enough to understand the potential impact of a proposal on the significance of a heritage asset. Therefore, in many cases, the template will only serve as a framework and a more detailed assessment will be required; this may include professional building analysis and research or comprehensive reports on significance and impact.  It is strongly suggested that for all proposals that a suitably qualified heritage professional be involved, please see the IHBC (external website) [https://www.ihbc.org.uk/page-3/index.html] for further information.

If you require further specific conservation advice which is not addressed in the information provided, you can contact the Conservation and Archaeology team.

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

Conservation area appraisals

Conservation area appraisal and management plans define why an area is of special interest, what is threatening the preservation of that interest and identifies action for the positive future management of the area.

Far Gosford Street

Coventry Canal

Lady Herbert's Garden and The Burges

Hill Top

Earlsdon 

Brownshill Green

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR

Conservation area frequently asked questions

What is a conservation area?

Conservation areas are areas which have been designated because of their special architectural or historic interest and where it is beneficial to preserve or enhance their character or appearance. There are now more than 8,000 conservation areas in England. These areas are important for their special qualities e.g. historic buildings, the layout of the settlement; open spaces etc. The key legislation is the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, which states in section 72 - General duty as respects conservation areas in exercise of planning functions. (1) In the exercise, with respect to any buildings or other land in a conservation area, of any powers under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2), special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area.

How are conservation areas designated?

Conservation areas are designated by the local authority, on the basis of whether the area is of special architectural or historic interest and whether it would be beneficial to preserve or enhance that character or appearance. The process includes detailed analysis of the proposed Conservation Area, public consultation and formal approval by the local authority.

Can a conservation area boundary be altered once it has been designated?

Yes, the local authority can undertake boundary reviews to identify potential boundary changes or redesignations. Such boundary reviews are normally undertaken during the preparation of a ‘character appraisal’ for the area.

What is a Conservation Area appraisal and management plan?

Conservation Area appraisals set out what is important about an area in terms of its character, architecture, history, development form and landscaping. The management plan sets out various positive proposals to improve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

What are the Council planning policies for development in conservation areas?

We follow the guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Planning Practice Guidance. Development proposals are considered on the basis of whether they preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the relevant Conservation Area. In addition, the local planning authority includes Policy CC2 of the Coventry City Centre Area Action Plan 2011-2031 in regard to Heritage in the city, and reference may be drawn to local policy HE1, HE2 and HE3 within the Coventry Local Plan 2016.

The role of residents, property owners and the local authority in conservation

The success of a conservation area depends on the joint commitment of the local authorities and those living and working in the conservation area working to preserve and enhance its character. Some change must occur in conservation areas to allow them to accommodate vital, thriving communities. It is important that conservation areas are able to respond to changing economic, social and cultural conditions without losing their special, often unique historic and architectural qualities.

Residents and property owners living within conservation areas can help to protect its character when considering carrying out works to their properties. Small incremental changes to properties such as the replacement of original windows or doors or the use of inappropriate building materials can have a cumulative effect on the character and appearance of individual buildings and upon the areas as a whole. Equally, poorly conceived new development or insensitive extensions to older properties can detract from the character of a conservation area. Not all buildings located within a conservation area will be historic, but following the general principles and guidance contained within appraisals and management plans when carrying out works will ensure the character of the area is preserved and enhanced.

Carrying out works in a conservation area

The main purpose of conservation area designation is to acknowledge the special character of an area. This influences the way in which the council, as the local planning authority, deals with planning applications that may affect the area. Within conservation areas, permitted development rights are often restricted, this means that applications for planning permission may be required for certain types of work that would not normally need consent.

Before commencing any work within a conservation area, property owners, occupiers and other interested parties should determine whether planning permission is required for a proposal. Permitted development rights may have also been removed by an Article 4 direction or via a planning condition, clarifications of which may be ascertained through contact with the local planning authority.

If you live in a conservation area, you should make sure that any changes you make to your property through repair, maintenance, or alterations, are in keeping with the character of the building and the area. Advice on best practice before considering making changes to your property in a conservation area can be sought from the local planning authority whilst reference can also be drawn to Making Changes to Your Property (historicengland.org.uk) [https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/your-home/making-changes-your-property/]

Glossary of Terms

  • Active frontage: ground floor level frontages that are not blank, in order to encourage human interaction. For example, windows, active doors, shops, restaurants and cafes
  • Alteration: work intended to change the function or appearance or part thereof of a heritage asset.
  • Amenity: elements that contribute to people’s experience of overall character or enjoyment of an area. For example, open land, trees, historic buildings and the interrelationship between them, or less tangible factors such as tranquillity
  • Archaeological Evaluation: a limited archaeological investigation to understand the nature and extent of below-ground archaeological remains within a site.
  • Archaeological Impact Assessment: a largely desk-based exercise, incorporating the results of a site walkover survey and other specialist surveys as required to identify the potential impacts of a development proposal upon archaeological assets, and upon potential new archaeological sites and features. It assesses the significance of assets, the magnitude of impact of development, and recommends mitigation. May also be referred to as Heritage Impact Assessment.
  • Archaeological Monitoring: a formal programme of observation, investigation and recording of any archaeological remains which may be encountered during the initial phases of a development, for example, topsoil stripping or site preparation works. Also known as a Watching Brief.
  • Archaeological Planning Conditions: Conditions which are attached to planning approvals which must be met to allow the proposal to be acceptable to applicable archaeological planning policies.
  • Archaeological Programme of Works: A written document prepared by an archaeological consultant which describes archaeological works to be undertaken at a site. For planning conditions, it must set out a detailed archaeological mitigation strategy specific to the archaeological potential of the site and to the nature of the development. It is also used for associated excavation licence applications. Also referred to as a Written Scheme, Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI), or Method Statement.
  • Ashlar: stone walling consisting of courses of finely jointed and finished blocks to give a smooth appearance
  • At risk: an historic building, structure, landscape, site, place or archaeology, which is threatened with damage or destruction by vacancy, decay, neglect or inappropriate development
  • Building line: the position of buildings relative to the edge of a pavement or road. It might be hard against it, set back, regular or irregular, broken by gaps between buildings, or jump back and forth
  • Conservation: The process of managing change to a heritage asset in its setting in ways that will best sustain its heritage values, while recognising opportunities to reveal or reinforce those values for present and future generations.
  • Context: Any relationship between a heritage asset and its setting, including other places and its past, relevant to the values of that heritage asset.
  • Curtilage: An area of land attached to a house and forming one enclosure with it
  • Designated heritage asset: buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas, landscapes or archaeology that are protected by legislation: World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Registered Park and Garden, Registered Battlefield and Conservation Area
  • Edwardian: refers to the period from 1901 to 1910, the reign of King Edward VII, but often used in a more general way to refer to the whole period from 1900 to 1914.
  • Enclosure: the sense in which a street feels contained by buildings, or trees
  • English bond brickwork: an arrangement of bricks with courses showing the short side (headers) separating courses showing the long side (stretchers)
  • Fabric: The material substance of which places are formed, including geology, archaeological deposits, structures and buildings, construction materials, decorative details and finishes and planted or managed flora
  • Flemish bond brickwork: an arrangement of bricks in which the short side (headers) and long side (stretchers) alternate in each course
  • Georgian: dating to between 1714 and 1830, i.e. during the reign of one of the four Georges: King George I to King George IV
  • Harm: Change for the worse, here primarily referring to the effect of inappropriate interventions on the heritage interest of a heritage asset.
  • Heritage: All inherited resources which people value for reasons beyond mere utility.
  • Heritage asset: A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest.
  • Hipped roof: a pitched roof with four slopes of equal pitch
  • Historic environment: All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and deliberately planted or managed flora.
  • Historic plot: for the purposes of this document, this means the land and building plot divisions shown on nineteenth century Ordnance Survey maps
  • Impact: May refer to Visual Impact, an impact upon visual aspects of the setting of a heritage asset, or to Physical Impact, a direct impact upon the physical remains of the asset.             
  • Integrity : A measure to the wholeness and intactness of a heritage asset and the survival and condition of those elements that contribute to their significance.
  • Intervention: Any action which has a physical effect on the fabric or appreciation of a place.
  • Listed Buildings: buildings and structures defined by the Secretary of State as being of “special architectural or historic interest”. They include buildings and structures that are deemed to be of importance on a national scale. However, not all listed buildings are grand or attractive – sometimes architectural or historic significance may take precedence over visual qualities, and even fairly small structures such as milestones and water pumps may be listed. There are 3 grades of listing:
    • Grade I – of exceptional interest
    • Grade II* (commonly referred to as “grade two-star”) - of particular importance and containing outstanding features.
    • Grade II – of special interest which warrants every effort to preserve them.
  • Landmark: a prominent building or structure (or sometimes space). Its prominence is normally physical (such as a church spire) but may be social (a village pub) or historical (village stocks)
  • Legibility: the ability to navigate through, or ‘read’, the urban environment. Can be improved by means such as good connections between places, landmarks and signage
  • Massing: the arrangement, shape and scale of individual or combined built form
  • Maintenance: Routine work regularly necessary to keep the fabric of a place, including its setting, in good order.
  • Mitigation: The process whereby the impacts of development can be avoided, minimised or offset.
  • Movement: how people and goods move around – on foot, by bike, car, bus, train or lorry
  • Non-designated heritage asset: a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, but which does not have the degree of special interest that would merit designation at the national level, e.g. listing
  • Pitched roof: a roof with sloping sides meeting at a ridge. Include m-shaped roofs, hipped roofs and semi-hipped
  • Public realm: the publicly-accessible space between buildings – streets, squares, quaysides, paths, parks and gardens – and its components, such as pavement, signage, seating and planting
  • Roofscape: the ‘landscape’ of roofs, chimneys, towers, spires etc.
  • Roughcast: outer covering to a wall consisting of plaster mixed with gravel or other aggregate, giving a rough texture.
  • Rubble stone: irregular blocks of stone used to make walls
  • Setting: the aspects of the surroundings of an historic building, structure, landscape, site, place, archaeology or conservation area that contribute to its significance
  • Significance: the special historical, architectural, cultural, archaeological or social interest of a building, structure, landscape, site, place or archaeology – forming the reasons why it is valued
  • Streetscape: the ‘landscape’ of the streets – the interaction of buildings, spaces and topography (an element of the wider townscape, see below)
  • Townscape: the ‘landscape’ of towns and villages – the interaction of buildings, streets, spaces and topography
  • Urban grain: the arrangement or pattern of the buildings and streets. It may be fine or coarse, formal or informal, linear, blocky, planned, structured or unstructured
  • Vernacular: traditional forms of building using local materials.
  • Victorian: dating to between 1837 and 1901, i.e. during the reign of Queen Victoria

Conservation

Address: PO Box 15
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR
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