Decision details

In 2016 Henleaze residents undertook a local area character assessment using the ‘Our Place’ toolkit, in accordance with the City Council’s Heritage Framework. The resulting report identified areas of concern where the special character of the Downs Conservation Area was threatened, in particular the loss of front boundary walls along Henleaze Gardens and Henleaze Avenue, which are an identified part of the historic character of the area.
A local consultation exercise undertaken in 2019 indicated the majority of respondents in the consultation area are in favour of removing permitted development rights that allow front boundary walls to be removed without the need for planning permission.
The Council as Local Planning Authority have a statutory duty to protect the special character of identified areas such as conservation areas, and to do so can remove certain permitted development rights under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order.
Under the current Growth and Regeneration Directorate Scheme of Delegations the Director: Development of Place is delegated the authority to make Directions under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended.
The Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning and City design was briefed in September 2020 and supported making the Direction as a community-led initiative.

Approval to make a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights that allow the removal of front boundary walls without the need for planning permission along Henleaze Avenue and Henleaze Gardens. A non-immediate Direction gives 12 months’ notice to residents before coming into force.

Option 1 - Not to make and Article 4 Direction – but this would leave the remaining front boundary walls, which are an identified part of the historic character of the area, at risk of loss and would be contrary to the expressed desire of local residents and councillors.
Option 2 -
Option 3 -