Conservation areas
A Conservation Area is an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. There are 60 Conservation Areas in Lambeth, which vary greatly in age, size, character and style. Better-known Conservation Areas include the South Bank and Clapham.
To check whether a particular property is within a Conservation Area, please use the Public Access for Planning database.
Alternatively, our Conservation Area profiles offer further information about specific Areas in the borough, including key reports and maps to download.
Why do we have Conservation Areas?
Conservation Areas are chosen as a means of recognising the importance of the quality of the area as a whole, as well as protecting individual buildings. It enables us to preserve and enhance a Conservation Areas' character and appearance, and to control and manage change. We do not designate Conservation Areas to stop development.
What are Conservation Area statements?
Conservation Area statements are prepared by the council to provide a clear indication of our approach to the preservation and enhancement of each individual Conservation Area.
What planning controls apply to a Conservation Area?
In addition to the normal planning controls, Conservation Areas enjoy special protection under the law. These are some of the key requirements:
- You will need consent to demolish a building in a Conservation Area. Generally, we are in favour of keeping all buildings that make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of a Conservation Area. We identify these buildings in individual Conservation Area statements. It is an offence to demolish a building without first getting consent from us.
- You must give us six weeks notice, in writing, before any work is carried out to prune or fell a tree in a Conservation Area.
- You will need to demonstrate that any development proposal preserves or enhances the character or appearance of a Conservation Area.
- You need to apply for planning permission for some alterations or extensions that would not normally need planning permission outside a Conservation Area.
- If your house is covered by an Article 4 Direction, you may also need planning permission for other home alterations, such as replacing windows and doors, creating a parking space in your front garden or painting the outside of your house.
- The council has greater control over the erection of advertisements and signs. For instance, if required we can control shop signs, posters or estate agents boards that would not normally need permission.
- Extra publicity is given on planning applications affecting the character or appearance of Conservation Areas.
If you are in any doubt about whether you need planning permission please contact the Town Planning Advice Centre.
How do I apply for Conservation Area Consent?
To apply for Conservation Area Consent, you can use the Listed Building/Conservation Area Consent Application Form or contact the Town Planning Advice Centre.
Conservation Area Consent applications should normally accompany a planning application for redevelopment of a particular site; we will consider the applications together.
We normally require a statement supporting an application for Conservation Area Consent, including any structural or economic viability evidence, which needs to be analysed in detail by us and the government's built heritage advisor, English Heritage.
Demolition of a building in a Conservation Area without prior consent is a criminal offence. If you wish to completely or substantially demolish a building in a Conservation Area, you need to have Conservation Area Consent before you commence work.
There is a presumption in favour of retaining buildings and structures that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.
Depending on their location and height you may also need Conservation Area Consent to demolish fences, gates and other means of enclosure within the Conservation Area.
The Conservation Area Consent process is therefore similar to and runs alongside the planning application process. We will not normally permit the demolition of a building in a Conservation Area before its replacement has been approved.
How long does Conservation Area Consent take?
We aim to determine the majority of applications within eight weeks. Most Conservation Area Consent applications are linked to planning applications for redevelopment. These types of applications are often complex and involve consultations with a large number of interested groups as well as detailed negotiations with the applicants or their agents.
How do I know if Planning Permission is required?
The planning regulations are quite complex and vary depending on the use of properties and the amount of extension that some properties have already had. It is therefore impossible for this leaflet to give detailed advice. Should you have an inquiry of this nature please send details of your proposal to the Town Planning Advice Centre with a cover letter requesting advice.
If you do require planning permission you can download the Planning application forms or obtain them from the Town Planning Advice Centre. When considering applications in Conservation Areas the council will seek to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area.
What is an Article 4 Direction?
Some Conservation Areas are subject to Article 4 Directions, which carry additional planning controls. These additional controls are put in place by the council in order to preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the area. Planning permission is required for any work identified in the Article 4 Direction.
Please note: The Article 4 Direction is made in addition to the normal planning controls. The Article 4 Direction will only list what additional controls it imposes; it will not identify all the other planning controls that will normally affect the property.
Article 4 Directions in Lambeth
How can I appeal against a decision?
If Conservation Area Consent or planning permission is refused, or if we do not give you a decision on your application within eight weeks, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Where can I find an architect?
The council does not recommend architects. However, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)'s Register of Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) lists RIBA members who specialise in conservation works.
Where can I find a contractor?
The council does not recommend builders or other service providers. However, a wide range of specialist conservation contractors can be found in the online Conservation Directory, published by Cathedral Communications Ltd.