Planning

Review of Audley Conservation Area

The Borough Council in conjuction with the parish council and the community have reviewed the Conservation Area.  The purpose of the review is to define the area's special interest and identify any issues which might threaten these special qualities.  The management proosals for the Area will hopefully help to assist with managing any changes for the area. 

Following the consultation which ended on 11th April 2013, the Council has prepared a Consultation Statement which is now available to view and representations on until 24th May 2013.  The Council will then move to adopt the documents as Supplementary Planning Documents.

These documents are available to view at www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/conservation or at the Guildhall or Audley Library 

Audley Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Proposals

Audley Consultation Statement

How are conservation areas chosen?

They are chosen because they are deemed as having special architectural or historic interest (locally and regionally) rather than nationally.

Conservation areas usually comprise groups of historic buildings and/or areas of attractive landscape.  They can be large or small and may range from a whole town to a small square or village green.  Conservation areas in the borough vary from larger rural villages to Newcastle under Lyme town centre and cover parts of the Trent and Mersey and the Shropshire Union Canals.  An areas special character comes from a lot of factors including layout of roads, paths boundaries and street furniture.  All features are recognised as part of its character.

There are currently 20 conservation areas in the borough.  The areas are set out below with the date they were designated and any amendments.

Living in a conservation area

Designation seeks to preserve and enhance the area as a whole and imposes additional controls over demolition of certain buildings, minor extensions, detached buildings, position of satellite dishes and the protection of trees.

Demolition

The demolition or substantial demolition of any building in a conservation area (larger than 115 cubic metres) needs consent from the local planning authority.  There is generally a presumption in favour of retaining buildings and walls which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a conservation area.

Minor Developments

If you live in a conservation area you have to get permission before making any changes may be normally permitted elsewhere to ensure that the alterations do not detract from the area’s appearance.  These changes include cladding, dormer windows satellite dishes visible from the road and the cutting, lopping of most trees.

Article 4 Directions

The Council can remove make certain restrictions on the kind of alterations allowed, depending on how it might affects the areas character.  This is called an Article 4 Direction and it affects things like porches, changing historic doors and windows and other distinctive architectural features, and removing or putting up walls.  The Council consider carefully which developments to control in each conservation area and they are all different so it is always best to check by contacting the planning department.

The council has made Article 4 Directions within Basford, Butterton and Betley conservation areas.

Betley Article 4 Leaflet (PDF 1.7Mb)
Basford and Butterton Article 4 Direction (PDF 14Kb)
Butterton Article 4 Map (PDF 78Kb)
Basford Article 4 Map (PDF 93Kb)

Trees

Trees are protected within a conservation area because they form an important part of an areas character and contribute to the local environment.  Anyone proposing work to a tree in a conservation area has to give notice to the local authority.  They must then consider the nature of the work and the how important the tree is to the character of the area and make a tree preservation order in order to protect it.

(Link to Tree Preservation Page in Landscape section)

Conservation Area Reviews

The Council has a duty to review its conservation areas from time to time and to formulate and publish proposals for them.  An appraisal or review of the area outlines special character or appearance of the area and highlights any negative aspects which detract from the special character and how best to manage changes.

The Council has approved in February 2011 a programme of review for all of its Conservation Areas.  The Conservation Officer is targeting local groups to assist in this review process and is now working with Audley residents and the Parish Council to further the review of its conservation area.

Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans have been prepared for Basford, Butterton, Betley and Newcastle Town Centre and Madeley Conservation Areas.  See links below.

Betley Conservation Area Appraisal (PDF 2Mb)
Betley Conservation Area Appraisal Map (PDF 1.1Mb)
Betley Conservation Area Management Plan (PDF 776Kb)
Betley Conservation Area Management Plan Map (PDF 1.5Mb)

Basford Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (PDF 1.6Mb)

Butterton Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (PDF 1.7Mb)

Newcastle Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal (PDF 1Mb)
Newcastle Town Centre Conservation Area Management Plan (PDF 588Kb)

Madeley Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

• English Heritage
• The Planning Portal

• To view and print PDF files Download Adobe Acrobat.
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