Following the recent changes to building regulations in England, an influx of queries regarding conservation area rules for windows and doors in Wolverhampton has prompted us to put this convenient conservation area guide together.
Conservation areas are typically put in place to provide a framework that ensures the protection and regeneration of the local architectural heritage. Currently, there are 31 conservation areas located in Wolverhampton City and 137 conservation areas across the West Midlands. So, if you live in a conservation area, your city, town, or village has been classed as an area of special architectural or historic interest. With this in mind, homeowners, landlords, and those who carry out work in these areas have a duty of care to keep these buildings in the best condition possible whilst protecting the features that make them unique and distinctive.
Generally designated by your local planning authority, conservation areas impose extra legal restrictions and planning considerations on certain changes that can be made to buildings, outdoor spaces, and street furniture, e.g., post boxes, road signs, benches, etc. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are also used to protect single trees or groups of trees of importance.
Sliding sash windows
Although usually decided at the discretion of the local authority, the majority of local authorities in England do not require planning permission for houses, flats, and offices located in a conservation area (and are not listed) on the condition the new windows or doors are ‘like for like in materials and appearance.’ So, timber windows must be replaced with timber windows, vertical sliding windows replaced with replica sliding sash windows, etc. To be 100% certain, we always advise checking with your local council before going ahead with any improvement work.
A main example of a key negative concern within the Wolverhampton Conservation Area is the replacement of traditional timber sash and casement windows, either with those of an inappropriate design in timber or an inappropriate material such as uPVC. Other important original features threatened by inappropriate alterations include shop fronts, timber doors and door cases, cast iron railings, rainwater goods, and chimney pots and stacks.
The Wolverhampton City Centre Conservation Area Management Plan also highlights that external roller shutters in the Conservation Area require planning permission.
Just 2 miles west of Wolverhampton city centre, The Tettenhall Wood Conservation Areas was designated by Wolverhampton Borough Council in 1975.
Timber french doors
There are 20 conservation areas in the borough of Solihull.
There are currently 7 recognised Conservation Areas within the borough of Telford and Wrekin.
To find out if your home is in a conservation area, simply contact your local council, or visit this online Designated Heritage Assets map.
From charming bespoke wooden windows and doors to slimline aluminium windows and doors with a heritage frame designed to seamlessly replicate historic steel profiles, get a quote, visit our showroom, or get in touch to learn more about conservation area-friendly windows and doors suited to homes in Wolverhampton and the Midlands.
At Wolverhampton Glass, you’ve got complete peace of mind as we are fully accredited by all the relevant regulatory bodies. We are a Certass registered company and are also proud to offer a 10 year insurance backed guarantee on every installation as standard.
Over our 35 years, we’ve built up quite the local reputation too. Take a look at some of our recent customer reviews from homeowners across the Midlands.
