York founded in AD71 is arguably the most beautiful and historically rich cities in the UK. It is the centre for many turning points in our countries development throughout the ages. As such it offers visitors from across the globe a wide variety architecturally designed buildings from as far back as the 7th century. This is why the city of York Council Planning Office has 35 separate conservations areas within its boundaries. See below a listing of conservation area’s and the basic advice if you are wishing the develop your property within these areas. Further more detailed and personal advice please ring our office and we’ll come an assess your needs against likely limitations.
Central Historic Core* and Central Historic Core map
Clifton
Acomb
St Paul’s Square/Holgate Road
Heworth/Heworth Green/East Parade/Huntington Road
New Walk/Terry Avenue
Fulford Road*/The Retreat/Heslington Road
Tadcaster Road/The Racecourse/Terry’s factory
Middlethorpe
Bishopthorpe
Copmanthorpe
Askham Bryan
Askham Richard
Upper Poppleton
Skelton
Clifton (Malton Way/Shipton Road)
New Earswick
Huntington
Haxby
Strensall*
Osbaldwick
Elvington
Wheldrake
Heslington*
Stockton on the Forest
Fulford Village*
Towthorpe*
Dunnington
Murton
Nestlé/Rowntree Factory*
Askham Richard
Upper Poppleton
Conservation areas are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest’. The special interest does not only relate to buildings but also includes how all the features (listed or otherwise) of a place come together to make a distinctive environment.
These elements include:
the mix of uses
the historic layout
characteristic buildings
paving materials and street furniture
Conservation areas have extra planning controls applied to them to help preserve or enhance their character and protect their settings. Since 2011 there have been a total of 35 conservation areas in York.
Making changes in a conservation area
Planning permission and/or listed building consent is required to:
demolish any building or boundary over 1m high fronting highway or 2m elsewhere within a conservation area
substantially alter or build a new structure/boundary – a heritage statement is also required in this instance
raising the ridge / expanding the size of a roof or installing a dormer window
clad walls – in most cases, unless repairing or renewing an existing surface
install satellite dishes – on an elevation fronting a highway, on a chimney, and on a building over 15 metres high
install, alter or replace a chimney, flue soil or vent pipe on a wall or roof on a principal or side elevation fronting a highway
front, side and two storey rear extensions
detached ancillary buildings, garden sheds / stores to the side of the dwelling house
surfacing, ground works and works to trees
You may need planning permission to do the following:
repairs – if undertaken in a like-for-like manner
maintenance
renewing or replacing a roof covering
installing solar panels – subject to certain conditions
installing a roof light – subject to certain conditions
single storey rear extensions constructed in materials of similar appearance to those used on the existing house – subject to other criteria in respect of height and rear projection
Download a guide on living in a conservation area or email planning.enquiries@york.gov.uk for clarification.
Conservation area appraisals (CAA)
A number of conservation area appraisals have been carried out in York. They aim to identify the special interest and characteristics of a place in order see what’s needed to protect or enhance it.
Extra planning regulations in conservation areas
Extra regulations in conservation areas are known as Article 4 directions. Planning applications are required for certain types of development in these areas; in York East Mount Road has an article 4 direction (see other Article 4 Directions in York).
