Article 4 Direction - The Avenues

Information sheet reference number

EN/CR/IN/A4/24

Date created

18 September 2012

The Avenues Article 4 Direction

This Direction, approved in March 1991, affects all property in The Avenues conservation area, and parts of the Cliftonville and The Drive conservation areas. The following works which previously in some cases did not need Consent, now need planning consent on all property:

Part 1

1. The enlargement, improvement or other alteration to a property (including replacement roof coverings, windows and minor alterations)
2. Altering the roof
3. Building a porch
4. The erection of sheds and similar builds
5. Building a hardstanding
6. The erection of an oil storage tank

Part 2

1. The erection or alteration of gates, fences or walls
2. Making an access onto a road
3. Painting the exterior of a building

Satellite dishes also need permission in these areas. 

In practice, the Direction means that nearly all minor building work or alterations which affect the appearance of a building and its surroundings, needs Consent.

These controls have been introduced in addition to the existing requirement to obtain Consent for demolition of any building or wall in a conservation area, and to the need for Consent for extensions, conversions, changes of use, stone cladding, dormers etc.

The aim of the Direction is to encourage careful repair of original features, therefore like-for-like repairs will not need Consent.

The Direction has the following detailed implications for all properties:

Roofs

Consent is needed to change the type of roof covering. If you renew a roof, natural slate is required where this exists on all or part of a pair of buildings or predominates in a group of buildings, and on Listed Buildings (red clay tile will be required where original). Elsewhere grey cement-fibre or imitation slates may be acceptable subject to Consent. Coloured or corrugated concrete tiles are not acceptable.

The installation of dormer windows needs Consent. Dormers are only acceptable in traditional designs and in areas where they already prevail. Roof-lights fitted flush with the roof slope are usually a more acceptable alternative, but still need Consent.

The removal of chimney stacks or pots requires Consent and will not usually be granted.

Doors and windows

The replacement of external doors and windows will usually require Consent. Aluminium or plastic replacements are generally not acceptable. Exact replica replacements, of the original design and material, are required and do not require Consent.

Any variation in design, material or colour will require Consent. For example replacing a sliding sash window with a casement, pivot or tilt and turn window or the removal of glazing bars will require Consent, and this will not normally be granted.

Consent will normally not be given to replace a 19th Century panelled front door with a ‘Georgian’ style or modern glazed door. Front doors should either be restored or replaced with a replica.

Painting

Planning Consent will be needed to change the colour, or to paint an unpainted façade.

The following colours of smooth matt masonry paint are acceptable for repainting:

• BS 4800 08 B15 Magnolia
• BS 4800 08 B17 Vellum
• BS 4800 10 B15 Soft White
• BS 4800 08 C31 Buttermilk
• BS 4800 10 C31 Cream

The same colour from the above five or white must be used on both halves of a semi-detached property.

Stone cladding or textured paint are not acceptable.

Front gardens

The construction of a hardstanding or the removal or building of a front or back garden wall needs Consent. The Council will usually seek the retention of traditional front garden walls and resist their removal.

Other alterations

Additions such as porches, garages, sheds, conservatories or small extensions, and the removal of architectural details such as balconies, canopies and blind boxes require Consent.

Care should also be taken with the positioning of flues, cables and alarm boxes as these may need Consent if in prominent positions.

Consent will not normally be granted for television aerials on the principal façade of a building, and should be positioned below ridge height or on a rear chimney stack.

This area is also covered by the satellite dish Direction.

Properties covered by The Avenues Direction, including the Cliftonville (extension) and The Drive (extension) conservation areas:

• Albany Mews - all properties
• Albert Mews - all properties
• Blatchington Road - Central United Reformed Church, Ventnor Hall and numbers 102 and 104
• Church Road - numbers 2 to 108 (even inclusive), numbers 51 to119 (odd inclusive), including Planet House but excluding Hove Town Hall, numbers 121 to 139 (odd inclusive) and numbers 110 to 146 (even inclusive)
• Eaton Road - numbers 2 to 6 (even inclusive), and Charis Court
• First Avenue - all properties
• Fourth Avenue - all properties
• Grand Avenue - all properties
• Hova Villas - all properties
• Kings Esplanade - number 8 and Medina House, Benham Court and Flag Court and adjoining Kings Esplanade
• Kings Mews - all properties
• Kingsway, North side - all property on the north side between Seafield Road to the west and St. Johns Road to the East, including Kings Gardens, Queens Gardens and Adelaide Mansions
• Kingsway, South side - between Courtenay Gate to the West and St. Johns Road to the East, including Courtenay Gate, Kings Lawns and Kings Esplanade
• Land between Goldstone Villas to the West and the rear of numbers 1 to 13 (odd inclusive) Denmark Villas to the East, including Holy Trinity Church
• Queens Place - all properties
• Seafield Road - numbers 1 to 34 (inclusive)
• Second Avenue - all properties
• St. Johns Place -  all properties
• Sussex Road - numbers 1 to 4 (inclusive) and numbers 12 to 21 (inclusive)
• The Drive - numbers 2 to 6 (inclusive), All Saints Church, All Saints Church Hall, numbers 52 to 66 (even inclusive)
• Third Avenue - all properties
• Ventnor Villas - all properties
• Victoria Cottages
• Victoria Grove - all properties
• Victoria Terrace - numbers 1 to 22 (inclusive), land to the south of numbers 1 to 9 (inclusive)
• Wilbury Road - The Vicarage