Cotswold villagers will need permission to replace windows
The move is in an aim to preserve the villages heritage.
Residents living in a picturesque Cotswold village will soon need planning permission when replacing windows and doors or putting up or changing boundary fences as well as installing satellite dishes or solar panels.
Snowshill near Winchcombe is known for its narrow lanes lined with stone cottages and stunning countryside views.
People living in the village will have to apply for planning permission for minor works as Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved plans to preserve its unique heritage.
Councillors approved this week an article four direction to manage the risk of potentially unsympathetic developments taking place under permitted development rights in Snowshill.
They say this is needed given the exceptional historic character of the village and its sensitivity to physical change.
Permitted development rights, which allow homeowners to make certain building works and changes of use to their property without needing to apply for planning permission will be removed from October 1 to a limited range of mainly domestic alterations and improvement in Snowshill.
These include replacing windows and doors, building porches, hard surfacing of gardens, erecting and altering boundary fences, installing satellite dishes and solar panels and painting the exterior of buildings
Planning committee chairman Sarah Hands (LD, Innsworth) presented the report at the meeting on July 29.
She told the council the article four directive would protect the unique historic character of the Snowshill Conservation Area.
“This direction is aimed at managing small scale domestic developments, such as changes to windows, walls, and exterior finishes which could otherwise be made under permitted development rights,” she said.
“The article four directive will help ensure that any such changes are carefully controlled to prevent cumulative harm to the area’s heritage.
“It’s designed to strike a fair balance between preserving local character and respecting.
“The direction is not intended to prevent all development, but rather to ensure that changes are managed appropriately and in line with national planning guidance.
“It will only come into effect once confirmed by the council, with the proposed date of the commencement being the first of October 2025.”
She said five people commented on the proposal, mostly raising concerns.
“Some felt it could place undue burdens on property owners carrying out routine maintenance such as repairing gates and fences or repainting.
“In response, the proposal has been refined to clarify that repainting of the same color or routine maintenance would not apply.
“While a few other concerns were raised, none were considered sufficient to justify withdrawing the direction.
“The committee is therefore being asked to recommend that the Article 4 direction be confirmed and brought into force on October 1.”
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the proposal.