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LIVING IN A CONSERVATIQN AREA
Advice mid Tiiformation
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 The replacement of original doors with I
 Removal of decorative features such as
Are there alterations I can do without cqlnsent?
Yes there are but it depends whether you own a house, a flat or a commercial property. The City Council also
has additional powers of control in certain conservation areas. The law on this is complicated and it is very
important for owners and builders to contact a CO1’lS€IIV8.IZiO1'1 officer in the City Council's Planning Department
before making changes. Free advice and site visits arei available to ensure that the relevant consents are
obtained. Remember, independent ”expert” ad ‘vce may no filways be fully informed or 100% reliable
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The character of an area is often dependent on the combination of small details and local materials.
Canterbury District is particularly rich in these features, but too many small changes can affect the special
character of an area. Well thought out impr0vementsIand proper repairs can enhance property values.
On the other hand, inappropriate alterations can spoil the appearance of a house or terrace, are often
more expensive, and can devalue your property. I
The City Council's policy is to encourage the repair
of original features or where this is not practical to
replace them like for like, in either case planning permission is not needed. The Conservation Section
will help with advice and grant aid may also be ava
traditional materials.
ilable to help defray any extra cost in using
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The following can be damaging to the historic character and charm of an area:
 Replacing clay tiles or Welsh slate with concrete. I
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Chimney demolished
 Unsuitable replacement windows, particularly 
those of uPVC or other "standard" windows that I
do not match the original sashes or caseme Is. I
”standard” designs in uPVC or tropical I
hardwoods. I
Painting or rendering of old brickwork.
balconies, finials, railings.
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The loss of original garden walls and fences
or their replacement with ones that are not

Satellite Dishes
A satellite dish should be positioned to minimise its
impact on the external appearance of the building.
You must obtain planning permission if you wish-1'0
site the dish on the chimney stack, roof slope or t. 421
fronting a highway. The dish should also not exceed
70 cm in diameter.
There is a leaflet available from the City Council
explaining the regulations in more detail and we
advise you check with your installer to make sure
he has a copy of this leaflet and is familiar with the
rules controlling installation in a conservation area
Demolition
Special Conservation Area Consent for demolition
or demolition of part of a building has to be obtained
from the City Council. This will not normally be
granted if it is considered that the work spoils the
appearance of the area. Old boundary walls are an
important feature in conservation areas and sho* ' j
be retained, indeed consent is usually required for
their demolition.
Listed Buildings
Listed buildings are subject to further controls,
whether in a conservation area or not. Consent is
needed before any alterations are made externally,
or internally to a listed building and penalties for an
infringement can be severe. To check whether your
building is listed or not and to find out about the
specific controls, contact the Conservation Section.