Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
Belsize Park is a wonderful area to live in. Most of it lies within one of three Conservation Areas governed by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act of 1990.
The recognises the area’s “special architectural or historical interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance“. These latter two words are key tests for any development proposals. Camden has a raft of policies and guidance documents to support these requirements.
Each CA has a Conservation Area Statement which describes the special features which led to its designation and its management strategy. Each CA has a Conservation Area Advisory Committee to help the council on applications.
Camden’s Conservation Areas protect individual buildings and trees which make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area. The regulations do not stop development but ensure that new buildings, extensions and alterations, repairs and tree work respect the special character of the area.
It is important if you are contemplating any work on your home or trees to be sure of the requirements so you do not fall foul of the law.
Belsize Conservation Area Statement
Parkhill and Upper Park CA Design and Management Strategy
First check whether your home address lies within a Conservation Area – there are three covering our area – mostly the Belsize CA but also at the edges, the Parkhill and Upper Park CA and parts of the Fitzjohns-Netherhall CA.
The Conservation Areas have extra protections, ‘Article 4 Directions’ which remove some ‘Permitted Development Rights”, meaning having to apply for Planning Permission for certain alterations and repairs, particularly at the front of a property to change its appearance. For instance, changing front windows, altering a porch or balcony, changing a boundary wall, adding an extract flue etc. Also for creating a basement extension.
Belsize Conservation Area Design Guidelines incorporating Article 4 Direction
Article 4 Directions for Belsize CA in list form
Article 4 Directions for Fitzjohns-Netherhall CA
These are currently consultations until July 20th for removing the Article 4 directives on solar panel installations. More details and chance to send your comments here.
In line with our charitable objectives, we work to preserve and enhance our Conservation Areas and monitor all planning applications within our catchment (see map below). We comment on those we think may have a significant effect on the Conservation Area. Similarly, we monitor applications for tree work.
We liaise with the Camden planning and enforcement teams. local councillors and others and take part in consultations with organisations such as the GLA and TfL.
If you have matters of concern about planning issues, please do get in touch. We can sometimes support members if they are affected by a significant matter, though bear in mind we are not experts and cannot give specific advice.
This fabulous guide tells us the special features that make our area so wonderful and how planning policy helps protect and enhance the area.
Camden's planning pages contain a wealth of information, not just practical but also historical. Look up how to check a planning application or how to go about your own developments.
Discover more about how modern Belsize evolved. This section traces the development of the Belsize and Chalcots estates, illustrated with historic maps that reveal the area’s transformation over time.
