Site MainPage Search
Page About this Site Great
Links Send E-mail About
me Back a Page
Conservation
Protecting Brighton & Hove's Architectural Heritage
What is a Conservation Area?
Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural
or historic importance which the Council wants to preserve or enhance. Brighton
has some of the best architectural heritage in Britain and the future prosperity
of the town will depend partly on how well we protect the character and appearance
of our unique streets, for tourists, visitors and residents alike.
Special planning policies apply in Conservation Areas. These policies require
the use of traditional materials and designs for outside alterations such
as replacement doors, windows or roofs. Many historic streets in Brighton
suffer badly from inappropriate alterations carried out in the 1950s and 1960s,
but the Council is determined to arrest any decline in the appearance of these
streets and to set high standards for the restoration and sympathetic repair
of buildings.
Restoration not Alteration:
Alterations to the appearance of most buildings in Conservation Areas, such as replacement windows, doors or roofs,
will usually need planning consent.
'Planning consent' can mean;
conservation area consent, listed building consent, advertisement consent
or planning permission.
The Council will not allow unsympathetic alterations, nor the removal of traditional
features including small details such as tiled steps or chimney pots. However,
exact like for like repairs will not normally need consent; therefore, residents
are advised that repairs or improvements to buildings must use exact replica
designs with traditional materials and should not involve an alteration or
change to the original appearance of the building.
Doors and Windows:
In Conservation Areas, the Council will not normally allow plastic or aluminium replacement windows or doors, or
standardised, 'off the shelf wood replacements of a different design. Traditional wood sliding sash windows and solid panelled
doors which are exact replicas of the traditional or original design will normally be required including glazing bars, horns and
other details, where these exist. Local joiners or specialist companies can produce new draught-proofed wood doors and windows
in traditional designs, or will overhaul existing joinery to meet modern standards.
Dormer Windows:
In some streets, new dormers may not be acceptable, but might be permitted on the rear of buildings. Where they are
acceptable, dormers must be of modest size, have pitched roofs or lead roofs, and be built in traditional materials and
designs.
Roof Repairs:
The replacement of natural slates or traditional red clay tiles with alternatives
such as concrete tiles is not acceptable. The use of matching, natural slates
or clay tiles will not need consent. Decorative or plain hip or ridge tiles
should be retained or replaced with exact replicas. In strictly limited cases
and subject to consent being obtained, certain approved imitation slates might
be acceptable.
Painting Facades:
Planning regulations on painting facades vary from street to street. Before painting external walls you must check with
the Planning Department to see if painting is permitted and whether there are controls over colour or the type of paint used.
You should never paint or render over unpainted brick. Textured or high-build paints or pebbledash are not acceptable. Where
there is control over colour, it is likely that you will have to use white or cream smooth matt masonry paint, but in some
areas gloss paint is required.
Architectural Details:
The removal or demolition of parts of a building will require planning consent. Traditional stucco mouldings, balcony
railings, canopies, tiled steps or chimney Stacks or pots, should not be removed or altered.
Aerials and Pipes:
Some minor alterations to a property may need consent. Facades should not be cluttered with new pipes,
meter boxes, alarms, boiler flues loose cables, TV or satellite aerials. These should always, where possible, be situated
inside or to the rear of a property, or carefully located to minimise the impact on the appearance of the building.
Shopfronts:
The installation of new shopfronts, shutters and advertisements must comply with guidelines published by the Council
which are aimed at improving the quality of our historic shopping streets. Consent must be obtained before any work starts.
Trees:
All trees in Conservation Areas are protected by law and consent will usually
be needed to lop or fell them.
Front Gardens:
Garden walls and cast iron railings must not be removed, nor replaced with concrete blocks or railings of a different
design. Front gardens should not be paved over. Pavement 'crossings' and hard standings in front gardens will usually require
consent and this will not usually be granted. Where internal dustbin storage is not practical, there must be a carefully
designed and located bin store.
Enforcement:
Alterations or building works which are carried out without consent may have to be removed, if the Council takes
'enforcement action'. Some unauthorised work is a criminal offence and owners, agents or builders involved can face
prosecution.
Listed Buildings:
Many buildings in Conservation Areas will be 'Listed Buildings'. These are buildings of special architectural or
historic importance. Any alterations to the inside or outside will require consent and very high standards of repair and
workmanship are required.
Grants:
Some buildings in the Conservation Areas may be eligible for a 'Historic Buildings Grant' to assist with the repair
of the structure of the building or with the restoration of architectural details. These grants are discretionary, subject
to the availability of funds, and will usually be 25% or 40% of the eligible costs of the work. Routine maintenance,
eg painting, or internal improvements, such as conversions or central heating, are not eligible for these particular grants.
How Can You Help:
Never start work without checking planning or building regulation requirements.
Use an architect or chartered surveyor whenever possible.
Do not copy work done to other buildings in the area - they may be wrong!
Tell your builder that you live in a Conservation Area.
Persuade your neighbours to look after the character of your street
Restoration not alteration will help enhance the value of your property.
Further Information:
A number of publications and leaflets which provide further information
on conservation, grants and suppliers of suitable products are available from
Environmental Services Department Brighton Hove Council
