Restricted Permitted Development

TWIGLET1234

Just received my Report on Title from the solicitor which states that the property is subject to Article 4 Direction and our normal rights to permitted development are restricted. It goes on to explain about how loft conversions, extensions, porch building, erection of fences and gates and external painting or rendering will be subject to planning permission.
Although we had no plans to extend immediately, I did plan to paint and change the colour of the external. Do I seriously need to obtain planning permission to paint the house? I have read that you can apply to have the restriction removed. Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks 

davidmcn

Is it in a conservation area? If so then the planning department has probably issued guidance about what it is they're actually wanting to conserve. I doubt you can easily remove your property from an Article 4 direction.

RelievedSheff

If the permitted development rights have been removed then yes you do need planning permission to paint the exterior of the property.

You are unlikely to get that restriction removed.

TWIGLET1234

davidmcn said:

Is it in a conservation area? If so then the planning department has probably issued guidance about what it is they're actually wanting to conserve. I doubt you can easily remove your property from an Article 4 direction.

No it's not in a conservation area

Doozergirl

You probably don't need permission to paint the door, no.  It's possible that there is a restricted colour pallet but it would need to be quite a special conservation area for that.  

Article 4 directions are made when the character of an area would be threatened. I'd be very surprised if it isn't a conservation area.  There will be details of how it affects your specific conservation area on the local authority website.  It might be that it only affects the front facing areas and you can build at the back as normal etc.   It might not.  

As I said, details will be online.  Being in a conservation area is a benefit, imho as you'll
have attractive buildings and a restriction in people ruining them with naff windows etc.  

TWIGLET1234

Doozergirl said:

You probably don't need permission to paint the door, no.  It's possible that there is a restricted colour pallet but it would need to be quite a special conservation area for that.  

Article 4 directions are made when the character of an area would be threatened. I'd be very surprised if it isn't a conservation area.  There will be details of how it affects your specific conservation area on the local authority website.  It might be that it only affects the front facing areas and you can build at the back as normal etc.   It might not.  

As I said, details will be online.  Being in a conservation area is a benefit, imho as you'll
have attractive buildings and a restriction in people ruining them with naff windows etc.  

It's definitely not in a conservation area. I just checked the maps on the council website. I do agree though about being in a conservation area as a benefit. Just that a simple repaint of the house will now cost a stack more money. It's not a deal breaker though on the purchase, just find it odd

Freecall

TWIGLET1234 said:

No it's not in a conservation area

Are you sure?  Article 4 directions are applied to areas of acknowledged importance which, in practice, usually means a conservation area.

They are not applied to single properties but to geographic areas which are defined by the LPA in local policy.

You need to find out exactly what the direction covers.  Your LPA will tell you.

TWIGLET1234

Freecall said:

TWIGLET1234 said:

No it's not in a conservation area

Are you sure?  Article 4 directions are applied to areas of acknowledged importance which, in practice, usually means a conservation area.

They are not applied to single properties but to geographic areas which are defined by the LPA in local policy.

You need to find out exactly what the direction covers.  Your LPA will tell you.

As sure as I can be yes. I found the maps on the council website, they are marked in blue where the conservation areas are. Our house is definitely not in a blue section or anywhere near. I don't know if it makes a difference in this situation, but a potential chancel liability has been identified on the house?

AdrianC

If it's a fresh coat of paint of the same colour, I wouldn't sweat it.

If it's a colour-change, then it's up to you as to whether you take the risk. Unless you're going loopy on the colourscheme, I can't see it being a big issue.

TWIGLET1234

AdrianC said:

If it's a fresh coat of paint of the same colour, I wouldn't sweat it.

If it's a colour-change, then it's up to you as to whether you take the risk. Unless you're going loopy on the colourscheme, I can't see it being a big issue.

Changing from a yellow/cream to white was the plan. Husband is suggesting taking the risk. I am a real stickler for the rules!!

princeofpounds

Although it's often applied to conservation areas, PD restrictions can be introduced for a variety of reasons. Often of rather tenuous validity.

You know, because those wonderful custodians of our British architecture, councils and planning departments, can't possibly allow the plebs to muck things up.