06 Aug Altering a property in Letchworth or Welwyn Garden City?

Posted at 00:00h in Residential Conveyancing by

Do you know how to get consent for property alterations in Letchworth Garden City and Welwyn Garden City?

Those who are lucky to live or work in a garden city will appreciate the vision of Ebenezer Howard, founder of the Garden City Movement. He created a new type of living space which fused the best of both town and country and set out to enrich the lives of residents. The Garden City’s land was leased out to build businesses, housing and parklands for communities to live and work.

Today, over 100 years later, it is recognised that developments or changes are necessary to keep Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City as relevant to its communities today as they were when they were founded. If you are planning to alter a property in Letchworth or Welwyn Garden City, you’ll need to be aware of the Letchworth Heritage Foundation or Welwyn Garden City Estate Management Scheme. They will review your plans and must provide consent before you begin works that will change the external appearance of the building.

Both schemes were originally introduced back in the 1900’s to preserve the appearance and character of Letchworth and Welwyn’s unique environments as the only two garden cities in the United Kingdom. They ensure that properties remain in harmony with their original design and character. The schemes apply to freehold properties and leasehold properties. It is important to note planning permission and building regulation approval may also be required in addition to this consent depending on the nature of the works you wish to carry out.

What works require consent?

Letchworth Garden City

If you are seeking to do work that will “materially affect” the external appearance of the building, then the consent of the Heritage Foundation will be required. The works range from – installing new windows or altering the external colour of the building – to major redevelopment works such as adding a new extension to the building. Any such development or alteration will require plans, drawings and specifications to be approved by the Heritage Foundation.

Welwyn Garden City

Like above, The Welwyn Garden City Estate Management Scheme must give its consent for any further building or erection, paving concrete or other hard standing to be erected, constructed or laid on the property as well as any alterations to the external plan or elevation of the building or the external appearance of the building.

The consent process

You will find all the necessary guidance notes and forms from the Heritage Foundation or the Estate Management Scheme websites. You can also contact us to help you with any legal steps involved in the process. Due to our historical links with Hertfordshire we have a wealth of experience advising clients in connection with property in Letchworth Garden City and Welwyn Garden City, for both residential and commercial property works.

If you have already carried out works without consent

If you have already carried out any alterations referred to above without the consent of the Heritage Foundation or the Estate Management Scheme, then you should seek legal advice. It is possible to obtain retrospective consent from either organisation. However, it is important to note that the work you have carried out may not be approved by either organisation if they deem that the original design and character of the property has been negatively affected.

Enforcement action

If you do not gain consent and continue with the work, or do not seek retrospective consent, you may be at risk of legal action being brought against you. It is very important to be aware that the period of enforcement available to each organisation or individual is unlimited. This means that enforcement action can be brought against you at any time even if a previous owner carried out unauthorised works.

Our team of experienced residential and commercial property solicitors are here to help. Email us info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk or call us, Hitchin 01462 458711, Welwyn Garden City 01707 887701.

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