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Change is controlled in conservation areas in order to maintain the area's special character & appearance. Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of most buildings and some structures.

  • In conservation areas planning Permission is needed for extensions and alterations.

  • In Mushroom Green, Love Lane and The Leasowes special controls apply even to minor building alterations and extensions.

  • In conservation areas trees with trunk diameters over 75mm are protected. The Council must be notified in writing 6 weeks in advance of any intended tree work unless the trees are dead, dying or dangerous. In such cases a replacement tree must be planted.

As a general rule, the "thresholds" by which permission is required are lower in Conservation Areas, and lower for Listed Buildings. Given that conducting unauthorised works to a Listed Building is a criminal offence, we strongly advise contacting us before commencing any works. Even cleaning a listed building can require permission, if certain chemicals are used.

Both of these application types attract no fee, and are often needed in addition to planning permission.

If you live in a Conservation Area and are doing pretty much anything other than the part or whole demolition of your home, you will not need Conservation Area Consent, just Planning Permission.

Special Controls

In Mushroom Green, Love Lane, and The Leasowes special controls apply even to minor building alterations and extensions. please view the Conservation Area Plans for further information.

Trees in Conservation Areas

In conservation areas trees with trunk diameters over 75mm are protected. The Council must be notified in writing 6 weeks in advance of any intended tree work unless the trees are dead, dying or dangerous. In such cases a replacement tree must be planted. For further information please see:

Building regulations for replacement doors and windows

Special consideration is given to preserving buildings of historic and architectural interest in conservation areas. This means features like single glazed timber sash windows can be replaced on a like for like basis without having to meet the required energy efficient standards.

We can provide advice on ways to make your historic building more energy efficient.

Demolishing a non-listed building within a conservation area

The demolition of a non-listed building situated within a conservation area and having a cubic capacity of more than 118 cubic metres will require conservation area consent.

Design Access Statement

If you are thinking of making one of these types of application, amongst the usual requirements for drawings etc we also require a "Design and Access Statement". This document sets out the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development - i.e. relating to the amount, layout, scale, landscaping and appearance of the development, and how the design of the development looks compared with other buildings in the area.

Please contact us using the details below when contemplating any significant changes within a conservation area.

Fee Information

Useful Links

Contact Details

  • Name Planning Help Desk
  • Address Development Management, Planning and Economic Development, Directorate of Place, 4 Ednam Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HL
  • Telephone 01384 814136
  • Opening Hours Monday to Friday, 8:45 am to 5:00pm, please note that the offices are closed at weekends and Bank Holidays