Conservation Areas

Hastings Old Town

The informally arranged streets and passageways of the Old Town conservation area reflect its medieval origin and contain numerous timber framed buildings.  Many of the buildings have been refaced in the 18th and 19th centuries but still form an organic jumble of small scale buildings nestling in the Bourne Valley between the undeveloped East and West Hills.

Burtons' St Leonards

Now incorporated into the built up urban area of Hastings the Burtons' St.Leonards conservation area contains larger more formally designed rendered buildings, arranged in a predetermined formal town plan pattern reflecting the vision of James Burton and his son Decimus in the first half of the 19th century.

Other Conservation Areas

Other conservation areas reflect the rapid growth of the town during the Edwardian and Victorian periods and include both terraced houses and detached villas mainly of brick - some, in the St Leonards area, with fine examples of pargetting.

Detailed information on Hastings Conservation Areas

• A - Z Street Index - An alphabetical list of Streets with links to Conservation area details
• Conservation Map - A Map illustrating the Conservation areas within the Hastings area.  Includes links to conservation area street listings.

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Conservation Area Controls

Within a Conservation Area special additional planning controls exist, for example:

1. It is an offence to demolish a building or a substantial part of a building without Conservation Area Consent
2. Anyone intending to lop or fell a tree of over 75mm in diameter or in certain circumstances 100mm diameter as measured 1.5m above the ground within a conservation area must give six weeks notice to the local planning authority. Felling or lopping of the tree must not be carried out within the six weeks notification period, without consent, during which time the local authority may decide whether to protect the tree by a Tree Preservation Order.
3. Planning permission is required for the installation of a satellite dish on the front wall or roof slope of a property in a conservation area.

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Alterations to Buildings in Conservation Areas

Respectful alterations retaining the character of the original building

1. Chimney stack re-pointed and original pots re-bedded
2. Natural slate roof with terracotta ridge tiles repaired
3. Decorative eaves brackets/rafter ends and render mouldings repaired
4. Original timber sliding sash windows repaired or replaced with same
5. Stone balustrades, coping and cornices renovated, lead roof over bay repaired
6. Architectural details, string course and mouldings repaired
7. G Original fielded panel front door and fanlight overhauled
8. Original front wall and piers repaired, traditional iron railings replaced to the original pattern

Inappropriate alterations damaging the historic character of the building and the streetscape

1. Chimney stack lowered and flues capped
2. Wide box dormer window extension added to roof
3. Profiled concrete roof tiles and ridge replacing original slate roof
4. Eaves soffit closed and fascia board added
5. Loose cables
6. Modern top hung upvc windows replacing timber vertical sliding sash windows
7. Stone balustrades and coping removed from top of bay and new flat roof constructed
8. Rooftop TV aerial and satellite dish fitted to front elevation. (Planning Permission is required for a dish in this position in a Conservation Area.)
9. Plastic (upvc) rainwater downpipe and new external waste pipes from bathroom conversion work fitted to front elevation
10. Modern timber casement windows in bricked up opening of former sash window
11. Architectural mouldings, string course and details removed, textured wall coating applied
12. Fanlight removed and frame glazed directly with lead stuck on glass
13. New front door of non-traditional pattern and inappropriate window and letter box
14. Wall, piers and decorative railings removed
15. New car standing area created in front garden on concrete apron

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