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Conservation Areas

Three Rivers District has 22 conservation areas. A Conservation Area is a place of special architectural or historic interest, worthy of protection. The local authority normally makes the designation. Demolition in conservation areas normally requires Conservation Area Consent and notice of certain work to trees must be given to the Council.

No work is automatically ruled out by Conservation Area designation. However it does impose an additional requirement on residents to apply to the Council for consent and permission for certain works, and in some cases a specific Conservation Area Consent is needed. It is advised that residents considering making alterations to their properties should speak to the Council's Duty Planning Officer before commencing any works.

All applications for planning permission are considered from the conservation point of view and can be refused on conservation grounds alone. This applies to planning applications not only in the conservation area itself but also in the vicinity. Permission or consent should be granted only if a proposal enhances or preserves the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. As with a planning application, an applicant has a right to appeal against a refusal, or against any conditions attached to a permission or consent.

See a summary list of the Conservation Areas in the district.

Conservation Appraisals and Management Plans

Some conservation area appraisal documents and management plans can be downloaded below.

Abbots Langley

Batchworth Heath

Chorleywood Common

The Council has introduced an Article 4(2) Direction, which means that residents of the Chorleywood Common Conservation Area will now have to apply for planning permission for certain alterations that were previously permitted development. This means that Planning Permission will be required to carry out any alterations to windows, chimneys, front boundary treatments and/or hardstanding (including those using permeable materials) to any property within the Chorleywood Common Conservation Area.

Notice was given of the making of the Direction on the 26 February 2010 and that was followed by a period of consultation expiring on 26 March 2010. There were no representations received and it was decided that the Direction be confirmed.

Article 4(2) Direction

Appraisal Document

Moor Park

Outer Loudwater

Oxhey Hall

Rickmansworth

Sarratt

Stocker's Lock and Farm

Upper Nightingale Road and Cedars Avenue