Conservation areas

Conservation areas

A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest. Any new development in the area should preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.

West Northamptonshire has 117 conservation areas and is committed to conserving and enhancing these areas protecting heritage for future generations.

See our conservation areas, appraisals and maps .

Conservation areas put in place tighter planning controls for anyone seeking permission to undertake particular works where planning controls are extended to give greater protection.

In a conservation area, planning permission is required for work that would ordinarily constitute permitted development. This includes:

• demolition of buildings with a volume of 115 cubic metres or more
• exterior cladding (stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles)
• side extensions, or the construction of any other building or structure to the side of the house
• rear extensions of more than one storey
• extensions immediately above top most storey of a dwelling
• roof extensions, including insertion of dormer windows
• the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe (installed on a wall or roof slope which fronts a highway and forms either principal elevation or a side elevation visible from the highway)
• erection of an aerial or satellite dish on chimney, wall, or roof slope facing onto and visible from the highway
• erection of solar panels on roofs (where they project more than 20cm from the roof plane) or walls facing the highway or on Listed Building or within curtilage of Listed Buildings (including stand alone solar panels)
• limits on the size of domestic and industrial extensions
• demolition of walls, fences, gates or other means of enclosure 1m high next to a highway or 2m elsewhere
• air source heat pumps (subject to certain restrictions on size and location)
• micro wind turbines
• works to trees

A number of conservation areas also have Article 4 Directions which further restrict permitted development rights. These are listed separately.

Last updated 15 January 2024