Historic Built Environment

Gary Knox, Conservation Officer • Dundee City Council Planning and Transportation Department • Telephone: 01382 433414 • Email: gary knox

There are presently 16 Conservation Areas within the Dundee City Council area. Conservation Areas are designated and afforded statutory protection under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) ( Scotland ) Act 1997.

Broughty Ferry Conservation Area	Logie Conservation Area	University Conservation Area	West End Lanes Conservation Area

What is a Conservation Area?
Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural and/or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Dundee’s Conservation Areas have additional planning controls (Article 4 Directions) to ensure that the special character of the area is preserved and enhanced.

How are Conservation Areas chosen?
It is the responsibility of Dundee City Council to decide which parts of the City are worthy of protection for their special character as Conservation Areas, to designate such areas and ensure their future management.

Do I live in a Conservation Area?
Dundee’s 16 Conservation Areas are listed below. To view individual Conservation Area leaflets (Acrobat PDFs), select the appropriate area from the list below:

How does a Conservation Area affect my property?
In Dundee’s designated Conservation Areas planning controls are stronger than elsewhere. The actual legislation is complex, but is summarised below. Further advice is available from the Planning Duty Officer at Tayside House (Floor 2) or by telephoning the department on 01382 433105.

Demolition Control: Conservation Area Consent is required for demolition of buildings and structures in Conservation Areas. Demolition of Listed Buildings in a Conservation Area requires Listed Building Consent. Consent for demolition is unlikely to be granted in the absence of proposals for satisfactory replacement of the building or redevelopment of the site. In addition, where a building or structure makes a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a Conservation Area, and/or is listed, the Council is unlikely to give permission for its demolition.

Permitted Development: The limits of Permitted Development (ie. those not requiring Planning Permission) within Conservation Areas are lower in order to protect the character and appearance of the area. Article 4 Directions cover all of Dundee’s Conservation Areas meaning that minor works such as, window and door replacement, external painting and stonecleaning, erection of fences, gates and porches, require Planning Permission. For works requiring Planning Permission, solely as a result of an Article 4 Direction, no fee is required. If in doubt always check with the Council before undertaking any work.

New Development, Alterations and Extensions: Work which requires Planning Permission must be of a high standard appropriate to its surroundings. Planning legislation requires the Council to consider whether the proposed development “preserves or enhances” the special character of the Conservation Area. Work to Listed Buildings and unlisted buildings in Conservation Areas will normally be expected to involve the use of traditional materials. Conservation Areas also provide opportunities to introduce good quality modern design and bring together old and new in an attractive and ever-changing urban landscape. To be successful, new design must acknowledge its special context in terms of its scale, form, siting, alignment, materials and landscaping. Appointment of an architect or surveyor with appropriate experience in conservation work is recommended.

Works to Trees: The special character of Dundee’s Conservation Areas owes much to the contribution made by individual trees or groups of trees. In a designated Conservation Area, it is an offence for any person to cut, lop, top, uproot, wilfully damage or destroy any tree, unless six weeks’ notice has been given to the Council’s Planning and Transportation Department. The owner of the tree must submit a Tree Work Notice Application and await written consent from the Council prior to undertaking such works. Application forms are available to complete on-line from the Council’s website, or alternatively requests can be made in writing to the Director of Planning and Transportation.

This gives the Council time to consider making a Tree Preservation Order. These exist for individual or groups of trees which are seen as giving amenity value to the community. The felling or lopping of trees which are subject to a Tree Preservation Order also requires consent from the Planning and Transportation Department.

‘Trees: A Guide to Planning Legislation and Best Practice’ is available to view on-line, or from the Planning Duty Officer at Tayside House (Floor 2).

Where can I get further information?
For further information, ‘A Guide to Conservation Areas in Scotland’ booklet is available on-line. A limited number of hard copies of this booklet are normally available free of charge from the Planning Duty Officer at Tayside House (Floor 2).

Conservation Area Appraisals are currently being prepared for all of Dundee 's Conservation Areas, and will be available to view or download from the Councils website, as and when they are produced.

Advice on applying for Planning Permission, Listed Building Consent and Conservation Area Consent can be sought from the Planning Duty Officer on Floor 2 of Tayside House (01382 433105). Pre-application discussion for any proposed work is always encouraged at the earliest possible stage. The Council can provide advice and guidance on your early thoughts and proposals, and guide you through often complex procedures.

Forms

» Planning Permission, Conservation Area Consent and Listed Building Consent Application Forms

Dundee Institute of Architects (Local Chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland)
Web: www.dia-architects.com

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Web: www.ribafind.org
Telephone: 020 7307 3700

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Web: www.ricsfirms.co.uk
Telephone: 0870 333 1600

To find contractors and building professionals specialising in building conservation:

Historic Scotland Conservation Bureau
email: hs.conservation.bureau@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0131 668 8668

Advice on listed building and other building conservation issues can be sought from the Council’s Conservation Officer on 01382 433414.

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