Sandybank

Conservation

The council has a statutory duty to designate conservation areas.

The council is legally obliged to designate as conservation areas any "areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which are desirable to preserve or enhance" and to review the boundaries of these areas from time to time.

There are more than 8,000 conservation areas in England and Gravesham has 24 of these, varying in size and character from the core of a small hamlet such as Harvel, Meopham to larger urban areas such as Windmill Hill and parts of Gravesend's town centre.

Designation introduces a general control over the demolition of most buildings and provides the basis for policies designed to preserve or enhance all aspects of character or appearance that defines an area's special interest. Most trees are also protected.

Some forms of householder development that would otherwise be regarded as permitted development outside these areas do require planning permission. Items such as exterior cladding, the construction of dormer windows and the erection of satellite dishes and radio masts fall into this category. The size of house and industrial extensions that may be carried out without specific planning permission is also more restricted.

Listed buildings
The statutory lists of buildings of architectural or historic interest are compiled by Central Government. Grades I and II* identify the outstanding architectural or historic interest and, in Gravesham, apply to buildings such as Cobham Hall (Grade I) and Town Pier (Grade II*).

These buildings are of great importance to the nation's built heritage. The majority of buildings in Gravesham, as elsewhere are Grade II but the statutory controls apply equally to all listed buildings. Controls apply to all works, both external and internal, that would affect a building's special interest, whether or not the particular feature is specifically mentioned in the list description. Listed building consent may even be required for repairs or for painting and it is advisable to contact the council's Conservation Officer before embarking on any works. It is also important to note that buildings and other structures within the curtilage of a listed building could, themselves, be listed and again it is important to seek clarification on this before carrying out any works.

It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without first obtaining consent from the Local Planning Authority.

There are more than 305 statutorily listed buildings in Gravesham. Of these, 10 are Grade I and 20 are Grade II* and there are a further 200 which are considered to be of  Local Interest these have no statutory protection but a significant grouping could, for instance, form the basis for the designation of a future conservation area.

Article 4 Directions
If the council is concerned that the character and appearance of a conservation area is being seriously eroded, for instance by the loss of traditional features, it can make directions (Article 4.2 Directions) withdrawing permitted development rights for certain classes of permitted development that apply to single family dwelling houses. (There are already only very limited permitted development rights for alterations to commercial buildings or those occupied as flats, bedsitters or maisonettes and a planning application would therefore be required for most forms of development, including alterations to windows, doors, roofs etc. whether or not they are located within a conservation area).

Gravesham Council has embarked on a programme of directions and details of those currently in place can be found on the dedicated Article 4(2) page of this web site. It is always advisable to contact the Planning & Regeneration Services Department before embarking on any works to historic buildings.

Form further details, please use our general comments form (link below).