Living in a conservation area can be a fantastic thing right up until the point where you want to do some work on your home.  That’s when you find that there are a lot more restrictions on a home on a conservation area than in other places.

So what are the main considerations if you do need to replace your roof?

What is a conservation area?

A conservation areais a location with architectural or historic interest that English Heritage wants to preserve or enhance. Often this is to do with the physical appearance and history of the location such as the form and features of buildings, how they were used and how they developed over time.  Parts of the area may have different contributions, and some might seem like they don’t add a lot but can be included due to the ‘potential for enhancement’ in the future.

Conservation areas have extra controls applied to them that mean minor work that would normally not need planning permission outside a conversation area would require it inside one.  There is also strict controls in place over things like demolishing buildings, removing trees and reduced permitted development rights compared to other areas of the country.

Replacing your roof

When you live in a conservation area, replacing your roof is more difficult than for other areas.  Normally, there’s no permission needed for repair work or replacement roofs but when you are in one of these areas, you need to work with the local planning authority to get consent.  That’s because they have the right to issue ‘Article 4 directions’meaning you have to submit a full proposal and get planning permission before you start.

One of the key considerations when applying for this permission is whether what you plan to do will enhance or preserve the area.  How strictly this concept is applied depends a lot on the area and the local authority.  If the area includes lots of different types of buildings, for example, then the local authority may be more flexible about what they permit.

 Careful consideration of roofing materials

Because the roof is a key part of the character of the building, you may find it more difficult to change this to a different material.  If you are replacing the roof, you may need to try and find a similar style of material to the existing roof to get planning permission for the project.

Alternatively, you might need to work with an expert with listed building and conservation area experience to find new solutions to the roof problem.  For example, lightweight roof tiles can be an ideal option because it can look like a lot of other materials but is stronger and more weatherproof.  This means you can make the case for keeping the character of the building intact and making it more weatherproof, therefore protecting it.

There’s no doubt that replacing the roof of a building in a conservation area can be more difficult than in other locations.  But by working with the local planning authority and the right experts, there’s no reason why it can’t be done.

Metrotile have specialised in lightweight steel roofingfor over 40 years and have considerable experience replacing roofs of homes in conversation areas. To find out more or request a free quotationget in touch with us by calling 01249 658 514or fill out our contact formfor a quick response.