The decision on the proposal to expand the Brighstone conservation area to include parts of Brook, Freshwater Bay, Hulverstone and Mottistone has been made.
The delegated decision, taken by Cllr George Brown, went with the officer’s recommendation, which was to “designate the areas as conservation areas and to adopt the appraisal documents; and to make an Article 4(2) Direction.”
If you’re not sure what an Article 4(2) Direction is – we certainly didn’t (!) – pop yourself over to Wikipedia, which gives the details as
The aim of an Article 4(2) Direction is to encourage the retention of high quality architectural features and to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the built heritage. The designation of a Conservation Area only goes some way towards protecting the integrity of buildings and their character. Under the Town and Country Planning Act (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, permitted development rights enable property owners within a Conservation Area to undertake small-scale extensions and/or alterations without the need for planning permission. Where these rights are unchecked, they can erode the special interest of the Conservation Area.
More details can be found on the decision notice (PDF).
