What is a conservation area
A conservation area is an area of special architectural or historic interest with a character or appearance that it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Knowsley Council has a statutory duty to review its area from time to time and accordingly designate new areas, or review the boundaries of existing conservation areas.
Conservation areas are varied in their character. They may for example include the historic parts of a town or village, have an important industrial past, or include historic parks.
Such areas will include some historic buildings, and some may be listed. However, it is the quality and interest of the area as a whole, which is the reason for the designation. In addition to historic buildings other features which are likely to contribute to the character or historic interest of conservation areas include the spaces around buildings, views and vistas, historic street patterns, gardens (public and private), historic elements of the public realm, trees and field systems, and the setting of the conservation area.
In order to protect the special interest of conservation areas, new development, works of demolition and work to trees are subject to tighter restrictions within the planning system. Some conservation areas are subject to an Article 4 Direction, which further restricts what works can be carried out without permission.
To find out if a property is in a conservation area please use the online mapping system, or contact Planning Services at dcsubmissions@knowsley.gov.uk for clarification.
Conservation documentation downloads
The 15 conservation areas in Knowsley are listed below together with links to their conservation area appraisals and management plans where available. Those marked with * are subject to an Article 4 Direction.
Prescot Town Centre
Old Hall Lane, Kirkby
Ingoe Lane, Kirkby*
Ribblers Lane, Kirkby
North Park Road and South Park Road, Kirkby
St Michael’s Church, Huyton*
The Orchard
Victoria Road and Huyton Church Road
Roby
Halewood Village
Knowsley Village*
Tarbock Village
Tarbock Green
Town End, Cronton
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view PDF documents. If you do not already have this, you can download it from the Adobe website. If you require any documents in an accessible format please call 0151 443 2380 or email dcsubmissions@knowsley.gov.uk.
Work to Trees
For advice regarding trees in conservation areas see work on a protected tree.
Requirements for planning permission
General information for householders on when permission is needed is available on the Planning Portal or you can contact Planning Services directly at dcsubmissions@knowsley.gov.uk.
You should check whether you need consent, before making arrangements to start any work. NB if your building is also a listed building, Listed Building Consent may be additionally required.
Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 certain works may be undertaken without the need for planning permission, and are known as 'permitted development'. Within conservation areas the extent of ‘permitted development’ is reduced. This means that in conservation areas a greater range of work needs planning permission. You may for example require planning permission for extensions, garages, sheds, hardstanding's, shopfronts, applying cladding or render, satellite dishes, micro-generation equipment, and erecting boundary fences or walls. This list is not exhaustive. In addition to the standard national requirements, the Council can change the types of development that need permission by making Article 4 Directions, or can remove ‘permitted development’ rights through planning conditions.
Development affecting conservation areas or their settings will be expected to be of high quality design which relates to its context. See Knowsley’s published Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and the relevant conservation area appraisal and conservation area management plan (below) for further guidance.
Demolition in conservation areas
Planning Permission for ‘relevant demolition’ is required for most works for the demolition of all, or part of any building within a Conservation Area, where the building is over 115 cubic metres in volume (measured externally).
Demolition of boundary walls, fences or gates that are more than 1m high fronting onto a highway, public right of way or open space, or higher than two metres elsewhere also require permission for ‘relevant demolition’.
It is a criminal offence to fail to obtain consent before undertaking such demolition work. If you are in any doubt whether you require consent for works you should contact Planning Services at dcsubmissions@knowsley.gov.uk for advice.
If the property to be demolished is also a Listed Building you would need to apply for Listed Building Consent only.
Where the building or boundary feature makes a positive contribution to the conservation area, there is a general presumption in favour of retaining it. If you wish to demolish a building, or part of a building, or boundary feature clear justification will be required. Proposals may need to be supported by a full structural survey.
Any proposals for demolition should show what the proposals are for replacement features, and information on landscaping and surfacing where relevant. If the building or boundary wall in question makes no contribution to the special interest of the area, the granting of consent may be dependent on there being acceptable and timely plans for redevelopment.
Article 4 Directions
The designation of a conservation area alone does not mean planning permission is required for all forms of development within them. Within conservation areas there are a range of ‘permitted development’ rights whereby certain types of work can be undertaken without planning permission being required. This however means that the character and appearance of conservation areas can be negatively affected by the cumulative effect of inappropriate minor changes. Article 4 Directions are a special kind of planning regulation which allows the Council to remove certain ‘permitted development’ rights, meaning that a greater range of work requires planning permission before it can be carried out.
Article 4 Directions are currently in effect in three conservation areas in Knowsley, these are:
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Ingoe Lane, Kirkby
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St Michael’s Church, Huyton
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Knowsley Village
We may seek to revise these Article 4 Directions or put additional Article 4 Directions in place in the future.
Where the Article 4 Directions are in place, the following will require permission:
- Any extension, or alteration to a dwelling house (this includes replacement windows and doors, alterations to roofing materials or eaves details and construction of conservatories)
- construction of a porch
- erection or alteration of boundary treatments
- construction of, or alterations to, an outbuilding/garage/shed
- painting the exterior of certain properties.
If you're unsure whether a property may be covered by an Article 4 Direction, or you require further advice, please contact the Conservation Officer on 0151 443 2780.
Making an application
You may wish to appoint an agent to act on your behalf. This can be an architect, planner, surveyor or other professional adviser. All matters concerning your application will be addressed to them.
If you would like informal advice as to whether your proposals are likely to be granted permission, you should submit a pre-application request for advice. A charge is made for this service.
Applications affecting conservation areas or their settings are required to be supported by a Heritage Statement.
Applications can be made online through the Planning Portal, please see Make a Planning Application.
If you prefer to submit your application by post, please print and complete the appropriate form and together with supporting plans and information either return to the address below, or by using a drop-off letterbox on the right side of Huyton Municipal Building main entrance (please make sure information is enveloped and clearly labelled for the attention of ‘Planning Services’).
Application forms and guidance notes on how to complete each form, are available to download using the links below. Checklists for the supporting information required.
Before submitting your application, please make sure you have enclosed the relevant supporting documents as indicated in the validation checklist and included the appropriate application fee.
1. To apply for planning permission for works of extension or alteration to a dwelling see:
Application Forms and Guidance Notes
2. To apply for (full) planning permission for works of extension or alteration to land other than a single dwelling see:
Application Forms and Guidance Notes
3. To apply for planning permission for works of extension or alteration to a dwelling including relevant demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area see:
Householder planning and relevant demolition
4. To apply for non-householder (full) planning permission including relevant demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area see:
Planning Consent including works for relevant demolition
5. To apply for planning permission for relevant demolition in a conservation area for an unlisted building see:
Planning permission for relevant demolition