The East Riding of Yorkshire area is rich in built heritage. The council is responsible for the protection of the built heritage, which includes more than 2,500 buildings (listed for their special architectural or historic interest (Listed Buildings)) and 75 Conservation Areas.
Listed Buildings
These are buildings which have been designated by Central Government as being the most important historic buildings in the council's area.
These Listed Buildings fall into three different grades as they vary enormously from major ecclesiastical buildings, such as Beverley Minster, and stately homes such as Burton Constable, to farmhouses, cottages and farm buildings.
These three grades are:
- Grade I :- which are the most important buildings nationally,
- Grade II* :- which are of more than local interest, and
- Grade II :- which form the vast majority of the buildings in this area (approx 94%)
Listed Buildings are protected because of their special architectural or historic merit and special permission is required (obtained by the granting of Listed Building Consent), for any works which affect the character of the building. This will include all alterations to the fabric of the building, but can also include alterations.
The inside as well as the outside is covered by the listing. If you own a Listed Building, or intend to carry out work to a Listed Building, it is always advisable to contact one of the council's Conservation Officers before any work is commenced.
The Government sees the protection of Listed Buildings as a serious responsibility and it is one of the very few areas of planning legislation where the carrying out of works without the appropriate consent is a criminal offence, which can be punishable by a fine or imprisonment. Not all Listed Buildings are immediately recognisable as such and the list includes structures such as lampstandards, milestones, mounting blocks, crosses and telephone boxes.
Conservation Areas
These are areas, which are designated by the council for their historic merit. They are areas, which generally contain a high proportion of surviving historic buildings, historic patterns of development and landscape, and have not been too badly affected by more modern development. The first of these areas were designated in the late 1960s.
The 75 currently designated Conservation Areas vary both in character and in size and include, for example, the centres of most of the towns in East Riding of Yorkshire Council area including Beverley, Driffield, Market Weighton, Pocklington, Hedon, Hornsea, Howden and Snaith: and smaller villages such as Atwick, Swine, Hotham etc.
The council is considering whether other Conservation Areas should be designated and has recently designated Beswick and Lund as new Conservation Areas. The historic cores of Cherry Burton, Leven, Brough, Brantingham and an extension to Elloughton (Dale Road) are currently (December 2004) receiving consideration.
The council is also looking at the coverage and boundaries of the existing Conservation Areas, which in some cases may need amending.
The main implications of an area being designated a Conservation Area are as follows:
- There are stricter limitations on the extent of development that can be carried out under "Permitted Development", particularly in relation to dwelling houses. These restrictions include a smaller limit on extensions before planning permission is needed and greater control over garden buildings and structures and satellite dishes.
- Demolition is brought under control with a requirement to obtain Conservation Area Consent where demolition is required, either for its own sake or as part of a re-development scheme.
- Trees are protected. See Trees and Landscape for more information.
- The council has a duty to enhance, where possible, Conservation Areas and will do this in a number of ways, for example, Grant Schemes for the repair of buildings that have been run in the past in some of the larger Conservation Areas and one scheme is currently running in Howden (The Howden Conservation Area Partnership Scheme).
- The council will take great care in its own activities in terms of Conservation Areas and looks very carefully at schemes for road improvement, surfacing, signage, lighting and street furniture.
- Conservation Area Advisory Committees currently consider all planning proposals which affect Conservation Areas and their views are taken into account when decisions are made.
- There are specific planning references in the four Local Plans covering East Riding of Yorkshire Council area which place greater considerations on applications within and adjacent to Conservation Areas.
