Which permitted development rights do I have in a conservation area? 

A conservation area does not remove permitted development rights altogether. Some GPDO rights have additional restrictions on Article 2(3) land, which includes conservation areas, and an Article 4 direction can withdraw specified rights locally. The starting point is therefore to identify the particular right and then check whether an additional restriction applies.

For the wider designation and heritage tests, see our conservation areas guide. You can also compare permitted development in a National Park, a National Landscape (AONB) and a listed building.

What can I do with my house in a conservation area?

Before you start altering your dwelling, check whether an Article 4 direction applies. It may withdraw specific permitted development rights to protect the character or appearance of the conservation area, sometimes only on particular elevations or for particular works. Do not assume an Article 4 direction removes every permitted development right.

You might also have planning restrictions via a previous planning application or when the property was new, especially if built in the last decade or so.

This page is a guide only and you are welcome to check the legislation on each page that is linked below to clarify any other restrictions.

Unless specified these rights only apply to dwellinghouses and not to flats.

Extensions  ✅  (rear single storey, no cladding) – More Information
Replacement windows and doors  ✅ – More Information
Velux roof windows (front or back)  ✅ – More Information
Porches  ✅  – More Information
Outbuildings (not to the side)  ✅  – More information
Driveways  ✅  – More information
Chimney / Flue (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Satellite dishes (not on or visible on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Fences & gates  ✅  – More information
Access to unclassified road  ✅  – More information
Exterior painting  ✅  – More information
Car charging point  ✅  – More information
Electrical upstand for car charging  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
CCTV  ✅  – More information
Solar PV or thermal equipment  ✅  – Class A has specific conservation-area limits, and flat-roof installations on Article 2(3) land require prior approval – More information (also for flats)
Stand-alone solar  ✅ / prior approval may be required  – in a conservation area, prior approval applies where the installation is nearer the highway than the nearest part of the dwelling or block of flats – More information (also for flats)
Ground source heat pumps  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Water source heat pumps  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Flue for biomass (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Flue for micro combined heat and power (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Air source heat pump / air con (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Wind turbine on a dwelling (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Stand-alone wind turbine (not in front of elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information (also for flats)
Demolition of walls or fences under 1m facing highway or 2m ✅  – More information
Demolition of buildings under 50 cubic metres ✅  – More information
Demolition of buildings under 115 cubic metres subject to prior approval ✅  – More information

Changes of Use in Conservation Areas

Changes of use can still benefit from permitted development rights in a conservation area. Additional heritage or design information may be needed in some cases, so check the conditions and limitations of the particular class before relying on it.

Casino, Betting Office, PayDay Loan shop or Hot food Takeaway to Use Class E  ✅  – More information
Pub or wine bar to pub with expanded food  ✅  – More information
Two flats above Use Class E, PayDay Loan shop or Betting shop  ✅  – More information
Industrial B2 to Storage B8  ✅  – More information
C3 Dwelling to C4 HMO  ✅  – More information
Use Class E to Residential C3  ✅  – More information
Casino or Amusement arcade to Residential C3  ✅  – More information
Barns to flexible commercial use  ✅  – More information
Barns to State funded school  ✅  – More information
Use Class E, Hotels, Care homes etc., to state funded school. ✅  – More information
State funded schools or Nursery to Use Class E, Hotels, Care homes etc. ✅  – More information

Commercial properties rights in Conservation Areas

You can still benefit from permitted development rights on commercial properties in conservation areas.  Check each section for any other conditions or restrictions that might apply.

Marquees for pubs and restaurants  ✅  – More information
Temporary buildings  ✅  – More information
Temporary use of land for 28 days  ✅  – More information
Moveable structures  ✅  – More information
Temporary school for 2 years  ✅  – More information
Temporary school for 3 years  ✅  – More information
Temporary change from Use Class E and others to Museum, Library, Public hall etc.  ✅  – More information
Solar panels on roofs or walls (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Stand-alone Solar panels (not in front of elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Ground source heat pumps  ✅  – More information
Water source heat pumps  ✅  – More information
Flue for biomass (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Flue for micro combined heat and power (not on elevation facing highway)  ✅  – More information
Demolition of walls or fences under 1m facing highway or 2m ✅  – More information
Demolition of buildings under 50 cubic metres ✅  – More information
Demolition of buildings under 115 cubic metres subject to prior approval ✅  – More information

Other matters

Demolition of a building of less than 50 cubic metres that is not a statue, monument or memorial is generally not development for these purposes, although separate listed-building controls can still apply. Larger demolition can fall within Class B subject to its own limitations and prior-approval rules. For the separate conservation-area thresholds and the express planning application route, see conservation area demolition. If the position is uncertain, check before demolition starts.

Note that the rights above can be affected by overlapping designations, a planning condition, an Article 4 direction or the separate controls applying to a listed building.

Permitted development rights do change. Before committing to work, check the current class and any local restrictions. If you would like us to look at your particular property, you can book a planning consultation.

Page Updated: 29th August 2026

Conservation, Heritage & Protected Sites