Alterations to un-listed buildings

North Norfolk is fortunate to have a wealth of attractive towns and villages which have retained much of their traditional character. Without doubt the Conservation Areas of North Norfolk play an important role in maintaining the quality of life for those who live and work in North Norfolk and quality of visitor experience for those who visit the district, particularly during tourist seasons. The value placed on Conservation Areas and the pride engendered is clear.

Unfortunately in recent years we have witnessed the gradual erosion of architectural character within many of our Conservation Areas. This is partly due to ‘permitted development’ rights as defined in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995 as amended 2008, but perhaps more is due to changes being made by individual property owners, without realising the damage that can be done, not least to property values.

It is a worrying trend which if not mitigated could lead to further significant loss in quality of the district’s historic built environment and building stock.

The most common and widespread unsympathetic changes and additions include:

• Replacement of windows and doors, usually in uPVC
• Loss of enclosure (boundary walls)
• Removal of chimney stacks
• Inappropriate treatment of historic elevations
• Installation of satellite dishes
• The loss of original architectural features

Please do not try to turn the building on the left into the building on the right!