Introduction
Conservation Areas are areas defined as being of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. There are 29 Conservation Area in East Lothian, each centred on a town or village. In some cases, the boundary has been extended to include the landscape setting of the settlement.

Is Planning Permission required?
The Council is keen to ensure that the quality of these areas is maintained for the benefit of present and future generations. This quality can easily be eroded by even minor developments that can normally be carried out without planning permission.
The following paragraphs are a guide to the types of development that now require consent in a Conservation Area, although these are for guidance only. A formal definition of the categories is given below. Before starting any work it is always a good idea to contact the Planning & Environment Services Division to check whether planning consent will be required. Even if planning consent is not required a building warrant may be necessary and the Division can advise on this.

Will the proposed work affect the external appearance of the property?
Relatively minor operations such as replacing windows or changing the colour of a building can affect the character of a Conservation Area and planning permission will be required.

Does the proposed work involve a change of use?
Some changes of use within a Conservation Area require planning permission. For example, from a house to a guest house, or from a shop to a restaurant.

Are you building a porch or something in your garden?
Certain minor works within the boundary of your garden can normally be carried out without planning permission, subject to some restrictions on size. However, within a Conservation Area consent is required for work such as the erection of a garage, garden shed, oil storage tank, porch, rooflights, walls or fences.

Does the work involve a demolition?
Demolition work does not normally require planning permission. However, the demolition of a non-listed building in a Conservation Area requires Conservation Area Consent.

Will you be displaying advertisments?
The display of a new advertisment, or a material change to an existing one, will need Advertisement Consent.

Will any work be done to trees?
The Planning & Environment Services Division must be given notice in writing of any proposed pruning or felling of trees within a Conservation Area. The Council then has six weeks within which to issue a written decision either to allow or refuse the tree work.

Is my property in a Conservation Area?
There are Conservation Areas in the following settlements in East Lothian. Click on the settlement name to view a map of its Conservation Area.

NB the Conservation Area boundaries can be seen as a red line.

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