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 99 Conservation Areas as at June 2009.
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 are of three different grades according to the quality of their architectural or historic importance, and include major ecclesiastical buildings, such as Beverley Minster, stately homes such as Burton Constable and farmhouses, cottages etc.
These three grades are:
-
Grade I :- which are the most important buildings nationally, of exceptional interest,
-
Grade II* :- which are of particular importance, and
-
Grade II :- which are of special architectural or historic interest.
Listed Buildings are protected because of their nationally acknowledged 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.
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 was designated in the late 1960s.
The 99 currently designated Conservation Areas vary both in character and in size and include, for example, the centres of most of the towns in the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area including Beverley, Driffield, Market Weighton, Pocklington, Hedon, Hornsea, Howden and Snaith: and smaller villages such as Atwick, Adlingfleet, Hotham etc.
The council is considering other Conservation Areas and Bridlington Quay, Goole, Middleton on the Wolds, Sancton and North Frodingham are currently (June 2009) receiving consideration.
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 have been run in the past in some of the larger Conservation Areas and schemes for Hornsea, Howden and Market Weighton are (June 2009) currently being considered and may be instituted in the near future.
- The council takes 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.
- There are specific planning references in the four Local Plans covering the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area which place greater considerations on applications within and adjacent to Conservation Areas.
For further information, please view our "What are Conservation Areas?" leaflet.
For further details of individual of Conservation Areas please view Conservation Area Appraisals.
