As traditional properties are increasingly updated and adapted for modern times, more and more external fittings are being added to buildings for which they were never specifically designed. These include flues for central heating systems, burglar alarms and gas and electricity meter boxes. CCTV cameras and external security lights are also becoming more common additions to our buildings. Some of these features can have a strong visual impact on the elevations of buildings seen from public streets and the impact should be minimised wherever possible. In some instances, such features detract from the character of buildings.

This policy explains the circumstances where planning permission or listed building consent is required for the installation of various fittings and equipment on buildings. It also sets out the standards which the Council will apply when dealing with applications. (see policy RES 19: Domestic Satellite Dishes).

REQUIREMENT FOR PLANNING PERMISSION

GAS AND WATER PIPES 

This relates to both gas supply pipes and rainwater pipes which are run down or along the external faces of buildings.

* When the wall is visible from a road or footpath.

* unless constructed by a public gas supplier

* When the wall, on which the apparatus is fitted, is visible from a road or footpath

CCTV CAMERAS

The law regarding the erection of CCTV cameras is complex and advice should always be sought from the Council as to whether or not planning permission is required. Inside conservation areas, however, planning permission is always required for the erection of a CCTV camera on a building or structure.

TELEVISION AND CB AERIALS 

The erection of television aerials do not require planning permission or listed building consent. It is suggested, however, that owners locate aerials within the roof space rather than on chimney-heads, where they may cause damage to stonework. In a tenement or subdivided house, a single communal aerial will minimise clutter and possible damage to roof and chimney. Obsolete wiring and aerials should be removed when a new aerial is being fitted.

No planning permission is required for the erection of a CB aerial on any building, but permission will be required if the aerial is attached to a purpose-built structure, such as a pole in a rear garden.

POLICY

1. GAS AND WATER PIPES

New gas pipes should be supplied into properties by one of the following routes:

(a) along a line of existing supply;

(b) by installing vertical risers in ventilated ducts within the properties;

(c) within blocks of flats:

Gas pipes should be painted out to match the colour of the wall on which they are fixed.

New water downpipes will not be accepted on the public elevations of listed buildings. In circumstances where they are acceptable to the Council, pipes should be painted to match the established pattern for the building or the street. This will either be to paint them black or to match the colour of the wall on which they are mounted.

2. GAS AND ELECTRICITY METER BOXES 

Boxes should be positioned where they will be as unobtrusive as possible. This could include on the inside face of a front garden wall, under a flying stair or within an entrance porch. A location on the front wall of the property would not be considered acceptable. In situations where boxes may be considered acceptable, they should be painted out to match the wall and ideally screened by a wall or shrubbery or sunk into the ground.

3. BALANCED FLUES AND GAS VENTS 

Flues should be fitted on walls that are not visible from a public road or footpath e.g. on the rear wall of a property. A less acceptable location would be on a gable wall. Only in circumstances where a property has a single aspect to the front will consideration be given to the fitting of a flue on a front elevation. Flues should be painted out to match the background.

Ventilation vents may require to be cut through the stonework to comply with gas regulations when fitting gas fires in certain situations. Wherever possible these should be restricted to the rear elevation. If there is no alternative to their being situated on a front elevation, then they should be located as unobtrusively as possible and painted out to match the wall.

4. BURGLAR ALARMS, SECURITY LIGHTS AND CCTV CAMERAS 

While it is accepted that alarms have to be seen to act as a deterrent to burglars, the random use of brightly coloured alarm boxes on the front elevations of buildings can spoil their appearance, particularly if they are listed or within a conservation area. Security lights and cameras can also detract from the appearance of properties, when fixed on public elevations.

On listed buildings, alarm boxes, security lights and cameras should be erected in unobtrusive positions so as to minimise the visual impact on the building. Acceptable positions could include the rear wall of the property, in a basement well, behind a balcony railing or within an entrance porch. All fitments should also be painted out to match the background.

On unlisted buildings within conservation areas, alarm boxes, security lights and cameras should also be erected in unobtrusive positions to the rear of the property. Security lights should be erected no higher than the first floor of the building and angled downwards to avoid spillage of light on to other properties. If these fitments are on a wall which is visible from a road or footpath, however, it should be painted out to match the background.

5. VENTILATION EXTRACTION FANS 

These are large modern additions into the glazing or walls of buildings and are particularly obtrusive when fitted to the windows of listed buildings. To avoid the problem, rooms to the front of these buildings should not be converted to kitchens. For kitchens already located to the front, consent will not be granted for the fitting of ventilation extraction fans. Ventilation for these rooms should be by means of opening the windows or by the use of a fan venting up through an existing chimney, if this is practicable.