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Changes to conservation areas in Stoke-on-Trent

Published: Thursday, 23rd March 2023

Following a recent consultation exercise, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has declared Article 4 Directions in 16 conservation areas, effective from the 23 March 2023.

Changes to conservation areas in Stoke-on-Trent

Following a recent consultation exercise, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has declared Article 4 Directions in 16 conservation areas, effective from the 23 March 2023. The affected areas are listed below and the full details of the controls are available online here Conservation Areas and Article 4 Directions | Stoke-on-Trent.

Having an Article 4 Direction in force with respect to a particular type of development does not mean that such development is not allowed. Instead, it means that an application for planning permission for said development must be made to the Local Planning Authority when it normally would not.

Please note that existing Article 4 Directions within the Caldon Canal, Penkhull Village, Winton Square and Albert Square Conservation Areas remain in force.

The affected areas:

 

  1. Ash Green Conservation Area 2022
  2. Blurton Church Conservation Area 2022
  3. Burslem Town Centre Conservation Area 2022
  4. Dresden Conservation Area 2022
  5. Hanley Park Conservation Area 2022
  6. Hartshill Conservation Area 2022
  7. Longton Town Centre Conservation Area 2022
  8. Park Terrace Conservation Area 2022
  9. Penkhull Garden Village Conservation Area 2022
  10. St. Christopher Avenue Conservation Area 2022
  11. Stoke Town Centre Conservation Area 2022
  12. The Villas Conservation Area 2022
  13. Tower Square Conservation Area 2022
  14. Trent and Mersey Canal Conservation Area 2022
  15. Victoria Park, Tunstall Conservation Area 2022
  16. Victoria Road, Fenton Conservation Area 2022

Councillor James Smith, cabinet member for infrastructure, heritage and business development has said: “Major movement is already in play to support the preservation of key heritage locations across the city. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure our unique, rich and vibrant cultural identity is protected. Ensuring the future prospects of key assets will help future investment opportunities.”

Effect of an Article 4 Direction

Article 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 grants automatic planning permissions to certain types of developments. An Article 4 Direction, removes these permitted development rights. The Article 4 Directions are proposed in order to assist the Council in preserving and retaining features within an area that contribute to its distinctive character and appearance and which help to protect local amenities and the well-being of the area. By introducing additional planning controls, the Article 4 Directions both facilitate the management of proposed development within certain conservation areas and protect against changes that would prove detrimental to the preservation of their character and appearance.