If your home is in a conservation area, subject to an Article 4 direction, or is a listed building, your project needs extra consents and a careful, well-evidenced design approach. Our in-house planners specialise in getting heritage-sensitive schemes approved.
Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where the council exercises extra control to preserve their character. Permitted development rights are often restricted — particularly side and front alterations, cladding and roof changes — so many works that would normally be permitted instead need full planning permission, with a design that respects the area.
An Article 4 direction removes specific permitted development rights across a defined area. Where one applies, works that are normally allowed without an application will instead need planning permission. We always check whether your property is covered before assuming any PD rights.
If your home is listed, you need Listed Building Consent (LBC) for any works that affect its character — inside or out — in addition to planning permission where relevant. Carrying out unauthorised works to a listed building is a criminal offence, so the right consents and a sympathetic approach are essential.
Heritage applications typically take 10–16 weeks. Pre-application engagement with the conservation officer is strongly recommended and adds time up front, but significantly improves the chance of approval. Listed Building Consent has its own statutory 8-week period but often runs longer for complex cases.
There is no application fee for Listed Building Consent. Where planning permission is also needed, the householder fee (currently in the region of £258, set by government) still applies. A heritage statement and any specialist input add to the design fee. Our fees for bespoke and conservation projects start at £3,000 (see pricing).
Our in-house planners specialise in heritage contexts. We prepare Heritage Statements and Heritage Impact Assessments, design sympathetically using appropriate materials and detailing, engage conservation officers early, and manage planning permission and Listed Building Consent together — so the two consents move forward in step.
Yes — listing doesn't freeze a building, but changes must respect its special character and need Listed Building Consent. With a sympathetic design and the right evidence, sensitive extensions and alterations are regularly approved.
Often, yes. Listed Building Consent can be required for internal alterations that affect the building's special interest — not just external work. We assess exactly what needs consent before any work is planned.
These are closely controlled because they define an area's character. We design with appropriate materials and detailing, and confirm requirements with the conservation officer, to keep your scheme on track.
Planning rules and statutory fees are set by the UK Government and your local council, and they change over time and vary by area and property. The figures here are indicative for early-stage guidance only and are not a substitute for formal advice — Virtue confirms the exact route, requirements and current fees for your specific property as part of our service.
Use our visual builder for an instant likely planning route, or book a free consultation and we'll confirm it for your property.
Check my planning route →