Planning legislation requires the Borough Council to determine whether any parts of its area are "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance". These areas, which are designated as Conservation Areas derive their special qualities from the buildings, traditional details, materials, scale and form. Equally important is the relationship between buildings and spaces, historic form and street layout, views, open spaces, and other landscape features.
How can I find out if I live in a conservation area?
Please click on the following link to find out if you live in a conservation area.
How does living in a conservation area affect me?
If you live in a Conservation Area you should be aware that additional planning controls apply to new development, demolition, minor works and trees in conservation areas. In some Conservation Areas the Council has removed permitted development rights (External website**) or introduced Article 4 Directions (External website**). This means you may need to apply for planning permission for minor works. These can include such things as replacement windows and doors, removal of chimney stacks and boundary walls and replacement roof materials. To find out if there is an Article 4 in place where you live click on the conservation area list. You are always advised to consult us to find out whether your proposal requires planning permission.
Email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk or call our Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400. For further information on living in a conservation area visit the Conservation Areas page.
Do I need planning permission to carry out works to my property?
If you live in a Conservation Area and you are proposing to carry out any work to extend, demolish, alter or repair your property you should always contact us first to find out if your proposals require planning permission. Email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk or call our Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
Are there any grants available?
If you own a property in a Conservation Area, grants may be available towards repairing and restoring your premises. The Council currently operates grant schemes in the following areas: New Mills, Chapel-en-le-Frith Glossop, Whaley Bridge, Hadfield and Buxton (Higher Buxton and Bridge Street). The grant schemes are all area based Partnership Schemes with the primary aim of improving the appearance, character and vitality of the Borough’s town centres through heritage-led regeneration. Priority buildings for grant aid are predominately commercial premises. Please click on the following link for further information on grant schemes.
Do I need consent to demolish a building or structure in a conservation area?
Specific approval called Conservation Area Consent is usually required to demolish whole or substantial parts of most buildings and structures within a Conservation Area. You should always seek advice from the Conservation Officer prior to undertaking any works that involve demolition. Email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk or call our Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
Is new development allowed in a conservation area?
Any proposals for new development should respect the existing historic and architectural character and sit sympathetically alongside the old. In order to assess the impact of any proposal, additional information is required in planning applications, including drawings showing the new proposed buildings alongside existing and a Design and Access Statement (959KB) 
. The High Peak Local Plan contains policies for development affecting conservation areas and their setting. Please click on the following link to view the High Peak Adopted Local Plan.
Can I carry out works to a tree in a conservation area?
Trees are important to the appearance and character of the Conservation area. Any person wishing to fell, top or lop a tree in a Conservation area is required to give six weeks written notice to the Council. This will allow time to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made. For further guidance on tree matters please contact the Council’s Arboriculture Officer. Email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk or call our Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
Does the Council have any design guidance to help guide development in conservation area?
Currently the Council has two leaflets providing supplementary planning guidance relating to the design of new shopfronts and signs.
How many conservation areas are there in High Peak?
There are 32 conservation areas designated within High Peak. These range in size from larger conservation areas centred upon the historic core of towns and villages to much smaller rural hamlets.
When were the Conservation Areas designated or extended?
Please click on the following link to view a list of the conservation areas and their date of designation and any extensions.
How are conservation areas designated?
Conservation areas are designated by the Council. In considering a designation the Council must form a judgement on the whether the area is of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Once a proposed boundary has been identified a public consultation on this is carried out. This is usually by means of a press release and leaflet circulation to affected households and businesses. The proposed boundary may be reviewed to take on board relevant comments arising from the consultation process. Once a final boundary has been agreed the Council has to place formal notification of this in the London Gazette and one local newspaper.
Can a conservation area boundary be altered once it has been designated?
Yes, the Council periodically undertakes a review of individual boundaries to identify potential extensions or de-designations. Such boundary reviews are normally undertaken during the preparation of a ‘character appraisal’ for the area. These appraisals set out what is important about an area in terms of its character, architecture, history, development form and landscaping. It is during this process that potential boundary extensions are identified and if necessary justified for inclusion. Character appraisals and boundary alterations are prepared in consultation with the local community. The following character appraisals are available to view or download.
The Council has also undertaken the following character appraisals, which are available by contacting the Conservation Officer.
The above character appraisals will be reviewed and made electronically available by March 2008.
Does the Council have any detailed information about individual conservation areas?
The Council has prepared Character Appraisals for some of the Conservation Areas. These documents provide a definition of an area’s special architectural or historic interest. They illustrate the character of an area and are influential in guiding developments. The following character appraisals are available to view or download.
What are the Council planning policies for development in conservation areas?
The High Peak Local Plan contains policies for development affecting conservation areas and their setting. Please click on the following link to view a copy of the High Peak Adopted Local Plan.
What are the national planning policies for conservation areas?
Planning Policy Guidance 15 – Planning and the Historic Environment (external website**) sets out the Government policy on planning issues and offers guidance to local authorities and others on the operation of the planning system.
I am carrying out works to my property. Could you recommend a specialist contractor?
If you are the owner of an historic building Derbyshire County Council (External website**) maintains a crafts register which is a list of suitable suppliers of materials, local crafts people and specialist advisers.
What should I do if I notice unauthorised work being carried out in a Conservation Area?
If you are concerned that unauthorised works are being carried out in a conservation area then you should contact the Council’s Planning Department. Email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk or call our Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400.
What others web sites can I look at that contain information on conservation areas, historic properties and heritage issues?
There are various national organisations providing design advice and guidance The following sites contain further information on heritage issues.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.