Sandwich (Walled Town) Conservation Area
Article 4(2) Direction
Sandwich is a superb example of a medieval walled town and an
architectural gem. Its distinctive character is formed by the large
number of historic buildings which remain, together with the
medieval street pattern.
If the special character of the town is to be preserved then it
is important that buildings are repaired by using traditional
materials. Inappropriate repairs and alterations not only spoil the
appearance of the area, but can also devalue a property.
If you are the owner or tenant of a commercial property, or if
you own or live in a flat you will already need planning permission
for most external alterations. Similar controls now apply to
dwelling houses and mean that extra care will need to be taken so
that alterations do not unintentionally spoil the appearance of the
street. The new controls are known as an Article 4(2) Direction and
cover the whole of the Sandwich Walled Town Conservation Area, the
boundary of which is shown on the map.
Why Introduce the Changes?
The new Article 4(2) Direction will strengthen the District
Council's ability to protect the special character of the town.
Additionally, it will remove some of the anomalies which currently
exist between controls on single family dwelling houses and all
other types of property.
How are you affected?
The new direction gives the District Council control over a
range of alterations to unlisted dwelling houses.
In summary, planning permission will now be required for changes
to windows, doors, roof materials, chimney stacks, the painting of
facades, the construction of external porches, the provision and
removal of walls and fences and the provision of hardstandings.
These controls do not relate to the whole building, but only to
those elevations which front a highway, waterway or open space, and
which therefore, affect the public face or faces of the
building.
Enlarge map
The best way of preserving the character of a building I to
repair it using traditional materials. If you repair your house
using identical materials, then there will be no change to the
external appearance and planning permission will not be
required.
Planning Applications
If you do need to apply for planning permission we will aim to
ensure that your proposal does not detract from the special
character of the conservation area and each application will be
treated on its own merits. Such applications do not require a fee
and a decision normally takes between 5 to 8 weeks from the date of
submission.
Listed Buildings
If your building is listed then you will require listed building
consent for both internal and external alterations an extensions.
To check if your building is listed please contact the Conservation
Section of the District Council: Telephone: (01304) 872482
E-mail: conservation@dover.gov.uk
New Planning Controls
The new Direction will require the submission of a planning
application for the following items of work, on a single unlisted
dwelling house in the Sandwich Walled Town Conservation Area, where
the works front a highway, waterway or open space:-
(a) The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of the
house. This includes changing windows and doors;
(b) Any alteration to the roof. This includes the provision of
roof lights and dormer windows and the substitution of clay tiles
and natural slates with concrete or other materials;
(c) The erection or construction of a porch outside any external
door;
(d) The provision within the garden or curtilage of any building
or enclose, swimming pool or other pool required for a purpose
incidental to the enjoyment of the house, or the maintenance,
improvement or other alterations of any such building or
enclosure;
(e) The provision of a hard surface e.g. to provide a car park
in the front garden;
(f) The erection, alterations or removal of a chimney on the
house or on a building within its curtilage;
(g) The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or
alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure;
(h) The painting of the external masonry (or other walling
material) of any part of the house(or building or enclosure within
the curtilage of a house). For the avoidance of doubt, this does
not include the routine repainting or external joinery, or the
repainting of masonry or other walling material in the same
colour;
(i) The demolition in whole or in part of any gate, fence, wall
or other means of enclosure.
Note: The above descriptions are not necessarily legal
definitions of the works as defined by the current panning
legislation. If you are I doubt, please ask us.
If the special character of these buildings is to be retained
then it is essential to repair them using traditional
materials.
Contact
Telephone: 01304 872486
Email: conservation@dover.gov.uk
