Conservation areas

What is a conservation area?

Conservation Areas are defined within the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, 1990 (section 69 (1a)) as areas of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.  

There are 17 conservation areas in Norwich and these areas are protected by law. Norwich City Council designates which places should be conservation areas. The designation allows for opportunities to build and for the character and appearance of the area to be preserved or enhanced. 

What does it mean to live in a conservation area?

If you live in a conservation area, there are extra controls on what you can do to your property. These controls are in place to preserve and/or enhance the conservation area.

Find out if you live in a conservation area

You might need permission to:

• change external features like doors and windows
• install a satellite dish
• change your roof
• demolition or erection of boundary walls or fences
• build an extension
• demolition of a non-listed building having a cubic capacity of more than 115 cubic metres will need planning permission
• demolition of a listed building would need listed building consent and approval from the Secretary of State
• cut down or work on trees

Check if permission is required?

Getting advice

The council offers a pre-application advice service to help you understand what’s needed. This service can save you time and money by identifying any issues early on. You can view full details about the types of advice available and the fees involved.

 Pre-application planning advice

How to apply for planning permission

• online
• by post: download the application form and post or email to the details below