Conservation areas
What conservation areas are, where they are in Brighton & Hove and restrictions around getting planning permission within them.
A conservation area is an area considered to be of:
"special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance"
(Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990)
Planning controls are tighter in conservation areas. The level of control does however vary between types of buildings (for example listed buildings, single family dwellings, commercial buildings or flats).
Article 4 Directions
In some areas, an Article 4 Direction has also been put in place to further increase planning controls and help protect the character and appearance of the area. Find out about Article 4 Directions in Brighton & Hove.
Find out if a property is within a conservation area
- The links below go to alphabetical list of streets and parcels of land that are situated - in whole or in part - within conservation areas.
- When a street is located in two or more conservation areas, the street will appear more than once within the list, with the relevant conservation area listed alongside.
- If a conservation area extends to only part of a street, those properties within the area boundary will be specified
Conservation areas in Brighton & Hove - Street Directory
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y
Where a boundary is complex, you may need to refer to a map to view the conservation area boundaries. Maps are available by going to the the relevant conservation area below
The special interest of a conservation area
The special interest of each conservation area is defined differently.
Most conservation areas have a character statement that clearly sets out its special interest.
Follow the links below to view the character statement, maps and details of each conservation area
* Currently no character statement
How living in a conservation area can affect you
You may need planning permission for minor changes to your property.
It is important to make sure that any proposed changes preserve or enhance the special interest of the conservation area. The character statements above will help identify what the special interest of that area is. Also, the council has produced a number of Supplementary Planning Documents and Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes.
The most relevant of these are:
- SPGBH 2: External Paint Finishes and Colours
- SPD02: Shop Front Design
- SPD09: Architectural Features
- SPD12: Design Guide for Extensions and Alterations
In addition to the above controls, erection of Estate Agents Boards is controlled in particular conservation areas in the city centre.
Energy conservation
Although this is not formal policy yet, we've published guidance on different aspects of energy conservation in conservation areas: