A conservation area is defined as an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Conservation Areas are environments which are considered worthy of protection as a result of a combination of factors such as the quality of design and setting of the buildings or their historic significance. In addition to the individual qualities of the buildings themselves, there are other factors such as the relationship of the buildings with each other, the quality of the spaces between them and the vistas and views that unite or disrupt them. The interaction with adjoining areas and landscape, the quality of trees, boundary treatments, advertisements, road signage, street furniture and hard surfaces, are also important features which can add to or detract from the Conservation Area.
Conservation Area status gives the Council some extra control over development to encourage enhancement of the area, but it is not meant to stifle development. The local authority has a duty to ensure that the character or appearance of a conservation area is preserved or enhanced, when considering applications for development. This includes development which affects the setting of a conservation area.
The Council is responsible for the designation and review of conservation areas. There are currently 27 designated Conservation Areas within Thanet District Council which vary considerably in age, size, character and style.
Planning permission is required for works for the demolition of most buildings contained in a Conservation Area. Anyone wishing to demolish an unlisted building or other structure (for example, a wall) within a Conservation Area must first apply to the Local Planning Authority for Planning Permission. There is a general presumption against the demolition of buildings or structures that are within a Conservation Area and contribute to its character and appearance.
PermalinkTrees form an important element of many Conservation Areas and anyone proposing to fell or carry out work on trees in a Conservation Area must give the Local Planning Authority six weeks’ notice of their intention. This enables the Local Planning Authority to make a Tree Preservation Order if the proposed work is considered not to be in the interest of the tree or of the amenity of the area in which its stands.
PermalinkArticle 4 Directions are a special planning regulation adopted by a Local Authority to provide additional planning controls in a particular location. The use of such Directions can be made in justified circumstances where a clear assessment of a Conservation Area has been made. Where an Article Direction has been confirmed it may withdraw certain permitted development rights for specified classes of minor alterations and extensions, such as porches, replacement of windows and doors and painting of the exterior of a building, which are set out in the Direction. The Council has Article 4 Directions in place in Ramsgate, Ramsgate Marina extension and Pegwell Conservation Areas.
Properties to which the Direction relates are shown below:
Addington Street – 85, 87
Albion Hill – 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
Cliff Street – 2 West Cliff Mansions
Kent Place – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
Kent Terrace – 7, 8, 9
Nelson Crescent – 19
Paragon – 9
Pegwell Road – 59, 61, 69, 71, 73, Pegwell Lodge Cottage, 1 Coastguard Cottages, 2 Coastguard Cottages, 3 Coastguard Cottages, 4 Coastguard Cottages, 5 Coastguard Cottages
Prospect Terrace – 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rose Hill – 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, Rose Hill Cottage
York Terrace – 14
Permalink| Conservation Area | Date of Designation | Extensions |
|---|---|---|
| Acol(PDF) | 27/01/1988 | |
| Birchington (PDF) | 02/02/1976 | |
| Broadstairs(PDF) | 05/06/1970 | 21/10/1986
23/07/2009 North (PDF) 23/07/2009 South (PDF) |
| Dalby Square (PDF) | 15/07/2010 | |
| Clifton Place and Grotto Gardens (PDF) | 20/10/2016 | |
| Clifftop (PDF) | 20/10/2016 | |
| Edgar Road and Sweyn Road(PDF) | 20/10/2016 | |
| Ethelbert Road and Athelstan Road Cliftonville (PDF) | 20/01/2015 | |
| Kingsgate (PDF) | 13/04/1973 | |
| Margate (PDF) | 07/02/1978 | 07/07/1994 |
| Margate Seafront (PDF) | 29/01/1997 | |
| Minster (PDF) | 28/01/1972 | |
| Monkton (PDF) | 22/08/1978 | |
| Norfolk Road, Warwick Road and Surrey Road (PDF) | 20/10/2016 | |
| Northdown (PDF) | 20/08/1985 | |
| Northdown Road (PDF) | 20/10/2016 | |
| Pegwell (PDF) | 29/06/1976 | |
| Ramsgate (PDF) | 16/01/1970 | 20/01/1980
27/01/1988 22/08/1990 12/07/2000 12/06/2008 |
| Ramsgate, Royal Esplanade (PDF) | 29/01/2007 | |
| Ramsgate Montefiore (PDF) | 22/02/2007 | |
| Reading Street (PDF) | 13/04/1973 | |
| St Nicholas at Wade (PDF) | 28/01/1972 | |
| St Peter’s (PDF) | 13/04/1973 | |
| Sarre (PDF) | 26/11/1971 | |
| Westgate on Sea (PDF) | 11/03/1998 | 14/12/2006 |
| Westgate on Sea East(PDF) | 14/12/2006 | |
| Westgate on Sea South (PDF) | 14/12/2006 |