Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings

The District’s rich legacy of historic buildings is protected through the designation of conservation areas and preserving buildings and structures which appear on the statutory list which is maintained and updated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. The local character of the area is protected more generally through the planning system and the Council is responsible for making decisions which actively encourage the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas, ensures the preservation of Listed Buildings and supports opportunities to improve the distinctive historic character of the villages and buildings and structures in the countryside.

Conservation Areas

Conservation areas are areas of special character whose qualities the Council aims to protect and enhance. There are currently 19 conservation areas in the District, ranging from villages centres such as Brewood, Kinver and Penkridge, lengths of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Shropshire Union and Stourbridge canals to the historic parklands of the estates at Chillington, Enville, Himley, Patshull and Weston-under-Lizard.

In conservation areas, consent is needed before demolition can take place and the size and position of house extensions and outbuildings that can be built without planning permission are not the same as elsewhere. The Council expects full planning applications to be submitted, showing the complete impact of proposed development on the conservation area and its setting. Other alterations may also need permission. Notice of any work to trees must be given 6 weeks before they would be carried out.

When dealing with applications for development in conservation areas the Council is careful to make sure that what is proposed would conserve or enhance the special character of the area. If you are carrying out development to a building in a conservation area, or want to build a new one, then you should use a suitably experienced and qualified architect. Proposals are best discussed with Development Management as a pre-application enquiry.

There are a range of documents including Conservation Area Appraisals and Conservation Management Plans which set the context for development.

You may also wish to link to The Planning Portal.

Listed Buildings

The details of Listed Buildings and structures in the District are available from the Conservation Officer in Development Management Services.

Listed Buildings are those recognised nationally for their individual merit; which may be their particular architectural quality, because they are associated with well known people or events, or because they form part of an important group with other Listed Buildings. They have special protection in law to preserve them for future generations. The Schedule of Listed Buildings is compiled and amended by English Heritage and can be inspected at the Council offices or online on the English Heritage website.

There are over 850 Listed Buildings in South Staffordshire district. The majority are Listed as Grade II, 62 are distinguished further as Grade II* and 20 are Grade I, the highest grade, signifying their national importance as buildings of outstanding interest.

The setting of Listed Buildings is also protected by planning legislation.

The picture gallery on the website includes some examples of the District’s Listed Buildings.

Details of Grade I and II* Listed Buildings considered to be ‘At Risk’ by English Heritage can be found on the English Heritage website, clicking on Search the Heritage At Risk Register and then choosing South Staffordshire from the ‘District or London Borough’ dropdown menu.

Works to Listed Buildings

Demolition or alteration of any part of a Listed Building, internal or external, or of a building or structure within its curtilage, requires consent from the Council, even if planning permission is not required.

This may include work to the inside of the building, anything fitted to it, outbuildings, walls or other site features. Application for Listed Building Consent is made on forms available from the Council's website. Having to ask for permission to make even small changes to a building does not mean that no changes are allowed. The Council wants to make sure that new work fits in with the old and that special architectural or historic features are preserved, whether the works are for a large extension or a new window. If you are carrying out development to a listed building, or want to build next to one, you should use a suitably experienced and qualified architect and discuss your proposal with Development Management before submitting it. It is important to consider Building Regulations matters before finalising proposals although relaxation of the regulations for Listed Buildings may apply.

A Listed Building Consent application is handled like a Planning Application, but there are differences in the way it is considered and advertised. At present no fee is payable for an application for Listed Building consent.

Other Heritage Assets

The Council is concerned with preserving and enhancing the special character of traditional buildings and structures which contribute to the local distinctiveness and character of the district of South Staffordshire. There is a booklet entitled The Village Design Guide which helps developers understand the built character of South Staffordshire. There is also a list of locally distinctive buildings and structures being compiled.