How to buy in a conservation area

What is a conservation area?

Since the mid sixties, local councils have had the power to identify areas of 'special architectural or historic interest' whose character or appearance is worth protecting or enhancing.

There are now over 8,000 such areas in England; and given the numbers, it's obvious that the designation is not restricted to a few chocolate box villages.

The status of conservation area has been conferred on fishing and mining villages, eighteenth and nineteenth century suburbs, model housing estates, country house estates, historic transport links and their environs, and even stretches of canal.

This wide reach is due to the fact that, unlike listed building status, our conservation areas are not chosen based on the quality or history of their buildings alone.

Factors such as the historic layout of roads, paths and boundaries, the use of building materials, public and private spaces, and trees and street furniture, are all considered when choosing areas worthy of our protection.

Buyers be aware: restrictions may apply

The main reason that many conservation areas are not now buried under multi-storey car parks is that the local authorities retain tight controls over demolition, minor developments and even the trees within a conservation area.

So, your friend down the road may be able, under their permitted development rights, to extend, add dormers, apply stone cladding, and rip out old windows with impunity.

But, if you live within a conservation area and you try it yourself, you'll face a fine and be forced to put everything back as was. Aside from that, you probably won't be able to show your face in the local pub for many years.

The restrictions imposed will vary depending on the area, but owners may even be prevented from painting their house a different colour to their neighbours' homes, unless they can make a good historical argument for the change of hue.

Your local council should publish details on their website, but if in doubt talk to the conservation officer first.

Living in a conservation area: the pros

Although the restrictions may sound limiting – and they can add to your maintenance bills - the responsibilities that come with living in a conservation area are far outweighed by the sheer pleasure of the surroundings.

Rosalind Chislet, architectural historian, is a huge fan of conservation areas.

"People should not be put off at all. There are definitely more pros than cons, including the fact that it protects the value of your property because it not only protects the building, it protects the surroundings too, including the trees.

"People pay a premium to live in a conservation area because you're buying into the whole history, as well as the quaintness.

"You're also buying peace of mind that your surroundings will stay that way. You won't wake up and find next door pebble-dashed, or a phone mast at the bottom of your garden. Even widening the road can't happen."

But don't people find the rules and regulations onerous?

"No," says Rosalind. "If you are buying in a conservation area you'll be aware of the restrictions. You don't buy it and say, 'I think I'll knock these rooms through'.

"If you want to put in a new bathroom or kitchen, that will be OK. But you can't put a doorway through a wall or a Velux in the roof, unless you can prove one was there originally."

Living in a conservation area: a seller's view

Rosalind is currently selling her home, the Grade II listed Chateaubriand in the East Sussex village of Burwash, where Rudyard Kipling spent many years.

"The rear part dates back to 1275 and the 'modern' extension, as we call it, was put on in 1380.

"We have an antiques shop below which could be used as an art salesroom, or perhaps something like an estate agency. It used to be a tea room. But it wouldn't be allowed to be used as, for example, a fish and chip shop."

As well as enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Burwash High Street, Rosalind believes that living within a conservation area helps to build community spirit.

"In Burwash, because there's a lot of important architecture, people are very proud of their buildings and their surroundings. And people aspire to live in places like this."

Rosalind Chislet is planning her next move, but will she opt for somewhere she can put up a satellite dish?

"No. Ideally it would probably be another conservation area," says Rosalind. "I prefer my quintessentially English streets to stay like that."

Pretty greens, premium prices

Lucien Cook, director of research at Savills, agrees that these are the kind of aspirational areas that sell at a premium.

And although there are no specific statistics, he adds that properties in conservation areas are likely to have retained their value well during the recent downturn.

"Firstly, they tend to appeal to people who have more equity, so they won't have been as affected by the credit crunch," says Lucien.

"But the main point is that conservation areas tick the high quality box, and we've seen a flight to quality. So yes, we would expect a property within a conservation area to hold up better than the general market."

This is supported by a recent survey of estate agents by English Heritage which found that 82% say original features help add value to a property and 78% say they help a property to sell more quickly.

Indy Perera, manager of Kenwoods Estates, Paddington said: "Conservation areas are generally more sought after than other residential areas. In Paddington, there has always been strong demand for properties with period or heritage features.

"Buyers are always on the look out for buildings, with character, that never age. We are finding that, particularly in the poor market that we are experiencing at the moment, it is these kind of properties that attract the most interest. Generally, buyers do pay more for properties with period features especially where they have been preserved well."