Apiary Gate & Clapgun Street Article 4 Direction

We have confirmed a direction that withdraws "permitted development" rights from some dwellings on and around Apiary Gate and Clapgun Street. We have also served notice of a supplementary direction that withdraws "permitted development" rights from some dwellings on Dovecote and Mount Pleasant.

Permitted development and article 4 directions
The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) grants permission for some classes of development (this is known as "permitted development"). For instance the GPDO grants permission for "the improvement or other alteration of a dwelling house". The District Council may withdraw "permitted development" rights (this is known as an "article 4 direction").

The confirmed direction
The confirmed direction withdraws "permitted development" rights from some dwellings on and around Apiary Gate and Clapgun Street. It withdraws rights for "the improvement or other alteration of a dwelling house comprising the alteration of windows, where any part of the improvement or other alteration would front a highway or open space". The affected dwellings are identified on the schedule and map below.

The effect of the confirmed direction
The effect of the confirmed direction is that the development described above shall not be carried out "unless Planning Permission is granted upon application". Please use the link below to find out about applying for Planning Permission.

Why have we done this?
In 2001 we adopted a character appraisal for the conservation area. The appraisal noted "the removal of traditional timber windows and their replacement with modern units of aluminium and uPVC construction". It noted "the inappropriateness of these materials" and the use of opening styles that "do not reflect traditional fenestration details". In 2001 we resolved not to serve an "article 4 direction", but resolved instead "to provide advice and education on the use of appropriate materials".

We have prepared a draft character appraisal for the conservation area, for public consultation. The character appraisal divides the conservation area into nineteen "character zones". The appraisal notes that "timber windows dominate the Barroon and Clapgun Street character zones, where about 80% of buildings have timber windows". These windows are vulnerable to loss.

The "article 4 direction" would maintain the contribution that traditional materials and opening styles make to character. It would maintain the setting of seven listed buildings including the grade II* listed parish church.

The supplementary direction
The supplementary direction withdraws "permitted development" rights from some dwellings on Dovecote and Mount Pleasant. The affected dwellings are identified on the schedule below. The supplementary direction shall remain in force until 5 February 2021. On that date it shall lapse unless it is confirmed by the District Council.

We would welcome your comments on the supplementary direction. Please send them to us no later than noon on the 16 September 2020. Please contact us by email or write to:

The Senior Conservation Officer
NW Leicestershire District Council
Whitwick Road
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 3FJ

The draft character appraisal and boundary review
We have prepared a draft character appraisal and boundary review of the Castle Donington conservation area, for public consultation. The draft character appraisal describes the conservation area's character and identifies opportunities to enhance that character. The draft boundary review identifies land that may be added to or removed from the conservation area.

Please use the link below to find out more about the draft character appraisal and boundary review.