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SALHOUSE CONSERVATION AREA

A large part of Salhouse village has now become a Conservation Area. The question is…. what does that mean to those who live within that area? For those of you who are in doubt as to whether you are affected please contact the Conservation Officers at Broadland District Council on 430413.

Background

In general, conservation areas have tended to focus on pleasant groups of buildings, open spaces, areas of trees, a valuable village green or historic street pattern, or perhaps even features of archaeological interest, but have mainly centred on a group of listed buildings. (In Salhouse, we have 13 Grade II listed buildings, the largest cluster of which can be found at The Bell end of Lower Street.) More recently there have been larger ‘rural’ areas which include more landscape orientated features and can protect the character of the larger local scene. The overall terminology for this combination is ‘local distinctiveness’.

Conservation area designation for areas of such distinctiveness may afford protection against future unsuited developments Logically, future building and enhancements should add to, rather than detract from, local distinctiveness and support the historical development of the area.

How does this affect those in the area?

Alterations and Extension

Controls vary between listed and unlisted buildings.
Within certain limits, any alterations/extensions to dwelling houses do not need specific planning consent. However, all      such work should always be carried out in a sympathetic manner.
Outside these limits, normal Planning Permission is required.
However, for listed buildings the same permitted alterations/extensions require Listed Building Consent.
Beyond these limits, listed buildings will additionally require Planning Permission.
In conservation areas roof extensions and cladding to a dwelling house now requires Planning Permission.
Satellite dishes mounted on a wall, chimney or roof slope fronting a highway, or anywhere higher than 15 metres on a building, need planning consent.
Any development that is felt to be against the interest of the Conservation Area can be limited or halted by the Council using appropriate legislation, known as Article 4.

Demolition

In general, no building within a conservation area may be demolished without the consent of the Local Planning Authority.
Demolition of a ‘listed building’ also requires listed building consent and the approval of the Secretary of State.
Where a building that is of particular importance in maintaining the character of the Conservation Area has been allowed to decay, the Secretary of State may direct the Local Authority to ensure that repairs necessary to make the building weatherproof are carried out.

Tree Preservation

It is an offence to fell, lop, cause wilful damage, destroy or remove a tree in a Conservation Area without first giving the Local Planning Authority 6 weeks notice.
The requirement does not apply to trees that are dead, dying or dangerous, or trees cultivated for fruit.
A tree is defined a having a trunk/main stem of 75mm diameter measured 1.5metres above ground level.
Work can be carried out on trees of less than 100mm in diameter if the work is to improve growth.
Application forms are available from the Salhouse Village Tree Warden, Ian Roofe, on 720520.
After 6 weeks, the Authority will have determined the importance of the tree and if a Tree Preservation order is not deemed necessary, the work may be carried out. The Authority will only respond if a restriction is applied.
Using a reputable tree surgeon will generally ensure that compliance is effected. The Council Conservation officers can advise you on this matter.

Window Replacement

Window replacements are often the most serious threat to the appearance of conservation areas and may even affect the value of properties. The replacement of timber with PVCu is most likely to result in problems.

All complete window replacements are now required to achieve minimum insulation values. Please consult the building control section of Broadland District Council.

Other repairs that can have a detrimental impact include:
Alterations to roofing material.
Inappropriate repointing techniques and materials.
Painting, rendering or cladding brickwork.
Removal of decorative architectural features such as stone or window surrounds.
Installing modern plastic rainwater gutters and down pipes.

Important hedgerows

It is against the law to remove most countryside hedgerows without permission.
Obtain permission from the Local Planning authority.
If it decides to refuse permission, the Authority must notify you in 6weeks.
If you remove any hedgerow without permission, you may face an unlimited fine. You may also have to replace the hedgerow.

If you are in any doubt as to whether your plans, whether home or garden, need permission, Barbara Hornbrook in the Council Conservation Offices is only too happy to discuss them with you. She is an excellent source of knowledge and her tel no: is 430413.
The above details have been taken from information supplied by Broadland District Council.

To Summarise

Living in a Conservation Area has many benefits and even the value of your property can be protected. Villagers can take pride in their heritage and play an important part in ensuring that the overall ‘distinctiveness’ of their Area is preserved. It should bolster pride of ownership in that the area has been accorded the status. Yes, there are some increased regulations but none so arduous as to detract from the benefits.

We should all take a pride in the Conservation Area designated, and the immediate surrounding areas, and ensure that people do nothing to undermine the importance of this designation. We should discourage bad building practices, wilful destruction of our vegetation, whether within the confines of gardens or in the open ground. Most of all we should condemn those vandals who have no respect for our village and have no appreciation of the privileges we enjoy by being rural. In this respect, all anti-social practices are included, from litter, dog excrement, property damage and non-observation of the speed limits within the village, particularly by villagers themselves.

In short, pride in the appearance of the village should be uppermost and , in the future we hope to re-enter the Best Kept Village and Britain in Bloom Competitions and take on other well known Broads villages.

Salhouse Parish Council

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