Development control advice

The demolition of most unlisted buildings in a Conservation Area is controlled, and 'Conservation Area Consent' is usually required for work of this kind. Some 'permitted development' rights are restricted within Conservation Areas. These rights allow some types of development to take place without planning permission. However, these matters are complicated, and cannot be summarised here. Please complete and submit a planning enquiry online form to the right of this page if you would like information or advice on this subject.

The West Oxfordshire Local Plan contains policies for development in Conservation Areas. Within Conservation Areas the existing buildings, land uses, historic settlement patterns and open spaces should remain largely undisturbed. Where development is acceptable, the following advice is offered in relation to Policies BE10, BE11, BE12, & BE13 of the Local Plan.

Extensions to existing houses and the conversion of appropriate structurally sound buildings, which are worthy of retention or which make a positive contribution to the local scene, will also be allowed (Policy H8). Small scale new housing may be permitted where it can be demonstrated that it satisfies a local need (Policy H10).

New buildings and extensions should be well designed in themselves, and in sympathy with the character of the area. They should respect the form, siting and scale of surrounding buildings. New development should incorporate existing features of importance such as trees, hedgerows, ponds, stone walls or paths and tracks.

Materials should be sympathetic to those prevailing in the area. In particularly prominent or sensitive sites natural stone will usually be the most appropriate material.

Views into and out of a Conservation Area, as well as views within the settlement, should be carefully assessed. New development should be designed to ensure that these are not harmed.

The conversion of redundant historic buildings should respect the original character of the building and its setting.

Historic or architectural features of interest should be protected or retained.

Large extensions, or an accumulation of extensions, can easily obscure the simple form of traditional buildings and should be avoided.

Some buildings with a particular visual or historic character may be harmed by new development, however well designed. In these cases development may not be allowed.

Owners of trees in Conservation Areas must give six weeks notice to the District Council before lopping, topping or felling. For further information please see the section on Trees in Conservation Areas.