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Article 4 Direction Dodds Park, Brockham
Article 4 DirectionDodds Park, Brockham
2 Article 4 Direction – Dodds Park, Brockam
Introduction
Many areas of special architectural or historic interest within Mole Valley District have been designated as 'conservation areas'. The Council has a duty to seek to preserve or enhance their character, particularly when making decisions on applications for development. A large part of Brockham was designated as a Conservation Area in 1970 by Surrey County Council.
The legislation contained in the Planning Acts does not seek to prevent development in conservation areas, but rather to ensure that proposals do not detract from their special character. If possible, development should enhance the conservation area. However, it is recognised that even minor works of alteration that are classified as 'permitted development' within the terms of the Planning Acts, can have an effect on the wider character if they result in the erosion or loss of features that contribute to a strong feeling of local identity. This identity can be the result of architectural detailing, materials and street layout.
The Government has given local planning authorities a special power to bring within planning control certain specified changes to dwellings that could detract from the special character of a conservation area, this is known as an Article 4 Direction. This Direction requires that a Planning Application should be made for minor works to dwellings within certain specific categories. Dodds Park has been identified as having a particularly special character that would be harmed if such work took place in an insensitive manner. The purpose of this leaflet is to outline the area covered by the Direction and the extent of the additional planning controls. It also describes elements that make up the character of the area and the procedures for making a Planning Application.
EXISTING STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROLS ON DWELLINGS WITHIN ALL CONSERVATION AREAS (A BRIEF SUMMARY)1. Planning permission is required for the total or substantial demolition of buildings or
structures which exceed 115 cubic metres. 2. Lopping, topping or felling of a tree with a diameter of 75mm or more at 1.5 metres
above ground level must be notified to the Council, which then has six weeks to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made.
3. Planning Permission is needed for:• Extensions at the side of a dwelling• Two storey rear extensions• Single storey rear extensions if they would:
a). Project from the rear wall of the original dwellinghouse by more than 4 metres, in
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the case of a detached house, or 3 metres in the case of a semi-detached or terraced house
b). Have a maximum height in excess of 4 metres c). Have an eaves height greater than 3 metres where the extension would lie within 2
metres of a boundary of the dwellinghouse • Roof dormers• The cladding of any part of the exterior of a dwellinghouse with stone, artificial stone,
pebbledash, render, timber, plastic or tiles• Rooflights, if they project from the plane of the roofslope by more than 150mm. In
addition, to fall within permitted development, rooflights and upper floor windowsinstalled on side elevations or roofslopes must be obscurely glazed and only openableabove a height of 1.7 metres above the floor level in question
• Detached outbuildings required for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of thedwellinghouse, if they would:a). Cover more than 50% of the garden area of the dwellingb). Have a maximum height of more than 4 metres, in the case of a pitched roof, 3
metres in the case of a flat roof, or 2.5 metres where the building would stand within 2 metres of a boundary
c). Have an eaves height of more than 2.5 metres d). Have more than one storeye). Stand between a wall forming a side elevation of the dwellinghouse and the
boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse• Hardstandings between the front wall of the dwelling and the highway, more than 5
metres in area, unless the surface is formed of porous material or provision is made todirect run-off from the surface to a permeable or porous area, for example a flowerbed
• Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes, installed on a wall or roofslope fronting ahighway
• Satellite dishes on a chimney, wall or roofslope facing and visible from a highway.
Detailed advice can be obtained via the Government sponsored planning portal www.planningportal.co.uk
4 Article 4 Direction – Dodds Park, Brockam
ADDITIONAL PLANNING CONTROLS WITHIN THE ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION AREASIn addition to the above controls, the owners of dwellings within the Article 4 Direction area are required to submit a planning application for the following works where they front the highway:
1. The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwelling house, any alterationto its roof; the construction of a porch; the provision within its curtilage of a building,enclosure, swimming pool, etc; the provision of a hard surface; or the installation of asatellite antenna.
2. The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence,wall or other means of enclosure within the curtilage of the dwelling house.
3. The painting of any exterior of any hitherto unpainted part of a dwelling house or of abuilding or enclosure within the curtilage of a dwelling house.
4. The demolition of all or part of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure withinthe curtilage of a dwelling house.
All of the above applies only to elevations that front a highway, waterway or open space. However, the Direction also brings under control:
5. The erection, alteration or removal of a chimney on a dwelling house or on a buildingin the curtilage of a dwelling house, whether or not it fronts a highway, waterway oropen space.
Mole Valley District Council confirmed the Article 4 Direction covering Dodds Park in March 2006.
Dodds Park (including part of Wheelers lane, Warrene Road and Juniper Walk) is an award winning council housing estate, built in 1955 for the former Dorking Urban District Council, which became part of Mole Valley District Council after the reorganisation of local government in 1974. Today about half of the housing stock is in private ownership.
One of the most important features of the estate is the distinct and attractive layout. This is characterised by symmetrical groups of houses, linked by brick walls and arranged around wide grass verges and generous open spaces. The estate has many similarities with the popular 'garden suburbs' of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, examples of which include Hampstead Garden Suburb in London and Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. In these developments the perceived public health benefit of large areas of open space and greenery was a major factor in the master plan.
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AREA COVERED BY THE ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION
The design of individual houses varies throughout the estate, but there is a basic palette of details and materials, which are repeated in various combinations. These include simple brick facades, rendered gables, some tile hanging, flat roofed open porches and simple but prominent chimneys. Roofs are red/brown plain clay tiles. Most of the original doors and windows have been replaced.
6 Article 4 Direction – Dodds Park, Brockam
SOME GENERAL POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION The fact that an application may be required for works within an Article 4 Direction Area does not necessarily mean that permission will be refused. However, the planning authority will pay particular regard to the extent to which the proposals affect the character and appearance of the area.
In general, original wall and roof materials should remain unaltered. If a roof has to be replaced then matching tiles should be used. Materials such as concrete tiles or slates (natural or artificial) are unlikely to be acceptable. The chimneys are prominent features and their demolition or truncation is likely to be resisted. Areas of render should remain a neutral colour and unpainted brickwork should remain unpainted. The creation of areas of hardstanding for the parking of vehicles in front gardens is unlikely to be acceptable. Front porches should remain unenclosed and linking garden walls should be retained where they front the highway or open space.
It is always advisable to discuss your proposals at an early stage with the Planning Department. Details of how to obtain advice can be found via the Council's website.
Applications must be submitted on the appropriate forms (Householder Planning Permission) which are available via the Council's website. The forms contain further guidance on the submission of plans, drawings and supporting information.
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Mole Valley District Council Pippbrook Dorking RH4 1SJ
01306 885001 [email protected]
www.molevalley.gov.uk
October 2017
Published by Mole Valley District Council Planning
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