Conservation Area drainage requirements

Conservation area drainage requirements describe the additional planning and design controls that apply to drainage works in areas designated as conservation areas under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Many inner London boroughs including Camden, Islington, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea have extensive conservation area coverage. Within these areas, external alterations including downpipes, gullies, surface drainage and visible above ground pipework may require planning permission even where a similar change in an unprotected area would be permitted development. Practical implications for homeowners include the need to check whether the property is in a conservation area before commissioning external drainage alterations, and to design replacements in materials and finishes consistent with the local character. The formal reference is the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the relevant local development plan.