Queen’s Park Residents asked for their views on stricter planning controls

Residents living in the Queen’s Park conservation area are being asked for their views on whether to introduce stricter planning controls to preserve the unique character of properties in the area.

Brighton & Hove Council are launching a consultation in response to local concerns identified in the Queen’s Park Conservation Area Statement.

The statement, adopted by the BHCC in September 2018 following public consultation, highlights how the loss of architectural details on the front of properties has a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

These include changing traditional sash windows to uPVC, installing inappropriate timber windows, modern doors, railings and gates, the loss of front boundary walls and the painting of previously unpainted brick features.

The Conservation Area Statement recommended that planning controls  should be drawn up to stop these changes when they affect the front of houses to restrict the minor work and alterations that can normally be carried out without planning permission within a particular conservation area. In Queens Park, the proposed Article 4 Direction would apply to all houses within the Conservation area, including small HMOs.

Flats and commercial properties already have stricter planning controls.

Any work carried out on properties before the introduction of the Article 4 direction would remain in place and the council cannot take retrospective enforcement action.

Queens Park residents are being encouraged to take part in the consultation and let the council know what they think of the proposals.

Councillor Tracey Hill, chair of planning, said: “Queen’s Park conservation area has its own unique character which is reflected in the architecture.

“We want to ensure that this character is maintained and that attractive and historic features of buildings are preserved, while balancing the wishes of residents wanting to improve their properties.

“We are encouraging residents to support us, by taking part in this consultation and helping to shape future planning controls.”

To find out more and have your say, go to our Queen’s Park Conservation Area Article 4 online consultation.

The consultation is open until on 16 March.