New rules proposed on home alterations

Warwick District Council wants to introduce legislation that would require people who live in the conservation area of New Milverton and wish to make changes to the front of their properties to apply for planning permission first.

If the legislation is agreed to, the council hopes to roll out the change across all of Leamington’s conservation areas.

Conservation officer Alan Mayes said: “It’s something that quite a number of towns have introduced because it helps with the protection, promotion and quality of the conservation area.

“It will mean the public will get a chance to comment on a change someone wants to make.

“We are starting at New Milverton because it’s an area which has got quite a homogenous feel to it, with mainly late 19th century houses. Changes to windows and garages which are not sympathetic to their surrounding can spoil the appearance of an area.”

He added: “In New Milverton, the majority of people have maintained their houses to a high standard. But by bringing in this level of protection, it will mean high standards are ensured.”

Cllr John Hammon (Con, Cubbington), responsible for issues to do with development, said: “It’s so we don’t get something completely outrageous being built that destroys the aspect of the area.”

At the moment owners of ‘single’ dwellings - mainly houses - are not required to apply for planning permission to make changes to their homes unless the buildings are listed, but owners of flats and commercial properties are.

This applies in most of Warwick district, although the same change in legislation was introduced in Stoneleigh during the 1980s and in Bridge End in Warwick more recently.

People in the New Milverton area will be invited to respond to a public consultation on the matter in September and the council’s executive committee will then make a decision.

A conservation area is one that has been designated by a local authority or English Heritage due to its historic or architectural value. There are 29 in Warwick district. To find out more, call 412717, email [email protected] or go click on the link on the top right.