MID Devon District Council is seeking the views of people in Cullompton on plans to relax the current rules on what alterations house owners in the town's conservation area can carry out without needing to apply for planning permission.

In 2009 additional planning controls over what house owners could do to their properties were introduced in Cullompton Conservation Area with an “Article Four Direction”.

The additional controls mean that planning permission must be gained before various alterations can be done. These include installing roof-lights on front roof slopes, putting up porches or replacing windows and doors on elevations facing a highway including any footpath, waterway or open space, removing chimneys or boundary walls.

The proposed changes would result in significantly fewer properties requiring planning permission for replacing windows and doors, demolishing boundary walls or constructing porches.

Most dwellings would still need planning permission for installing roof-lights on front roof slopes, or for demolition of chimneys.

In addition it is proposed that most dwellings would need to have planning permission for installation of solar panels.

Cllr Nikki Woollatt, who represents Cullompton North ward, said: “Having assisted so many residents who fell afoul of the Article Four Direction, I am delighted that the recommendation resulting from the review is for a more focused and targeted approach.

“I have campaigned for a long time that the Article Four Direction was inappropriate in areas where a high proportion of properties had already lost their historical and architectural features and I am pleased that the consultant who carried out the review shared a similar view.

“The more focused approach proposed will be a more efficient use of the Council's resources as it will be easier to manage and monitor.

“It will also alleviate the sense of unfairness and injustice that has been felt by some residents who have not been permitted to carry out certain works to their properties despite many of the neighbouring properties having already done so.”

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration, Cllr Richard Chesterton said: “I am delighted that there is an opportunity for local residents and others with an interest in Cullompton conservation area to have their say on the proposed changes and urge everyone to look at the proposals and give their opinion.”