§ Baroness Lockwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made reviewing the control of demolition in conservation areas following the House of Lords judgment in the Shimizu case. [HL 1205]
§ Lord WhittyTheShimizu judgment had the effect of weakening controls over partial demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas. We share the concern that the character of conservation areas could be adversely affected as a result. Following a consultation exercise last year, we therefore propose to require submission of a planning application where in a conservation area it is proposed to demolish any boundary wall, gate, fence and other means of enclosure and a chimney or porch on a dwellinghouse. This will give local planning authorities the opportunity to consider the impact that such works are likely to have on a conservation area. We shall bring forward the necessary amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 in due course.
This measure is designed to address the direct effects of the Shimizu judgment. We are currently considering the recommendation in English Heritage's report Power of Place for removal of a wide range of permitted development rights in conservation areas.