Residents who installed satellite dishes without planning permission will not face enforcement action

Householders are normally allowed to carry out improvement work such as painting walls and replacing windows and doors, as part of permitted development rights.

But in some parts of Stafford borough these permitted development rights have been removed, meaning residents have to apply for planning permission to carry out certain improvement works.

There are 30 conservation areas in the borough, which are classed as being of special historic and architectural interest, and three parts covered by additional restrictions known as Article 4 Directions – which aim to prevent potentially “harmful” development of unlisted buildings.

Parts of Eccleshall, Burton Manor and Stone are covered by Article 4 Directions – and a number of residents in the Stone area have fallen foul of the restrictions by carrying out “unauthorised” work to properties, including replacing roof tiles and a front door.

There were also five cases of satellite dishes being installed at the front of homes without planning permission, Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee heard at its latest virtual meeting this month. The cases involved properties in Alma Street, Northesk Street and Tunley Street.

A report to the planning committee said: “The Stone Conservation Area, which includes the Article area, requires that certain forms of development require planning permission, which includes the installation of a satellite dish that faces onto and is visible from the highway.

“A report was received by planning enforcement in respect of a number of alleged breaches of planning control. The properties were visited by the Deputy Development Manager on 15 January 2020.”

Backed

But the roof tiles had previously been considered by the planning committee in 2017, when it was decided not to take enforcement action, the report added.

Officers recommended that no further action should be taken against the other breaches too – a move backed by committee members.

The report said: “It is evident from visiting the identified properties and the Article 4 area that a number of the satellite dishes and replacement doors have been in situ for a significant period of time – i.e. over four years – and are therefore exempt from enforcement action.

“Whilst Alma Street at some time had a uniformity of presence – i.e. unaltered from its original form – that is clearly not the case now. Indeed, it is considered that there may be only two doors that are original to the terrace housing of Alma Street and a number of satellite antenna adorn a number of other properties. This pattern is largely repeated in the surrounding streets.

“Whilst the identified properties lie within the Stone Conservation Area and/or the Article 4 Direction Area, it is considered that the changes are not sufficiently out of character that it would be in the public interest to pursue enforcement action.

“It is also considered that satellite dishes can be viewed as ‘transient’ as they become technologically redundant their presence will decline.”

Businesses in Stone High Street have previously faced enforcement action however, after advertising signs were installed without seeking planning permission first.

Last year councillors gave the go-ahead for enforcement action against an illuminated barbers’ pole and shop sign and signage outside an office deemed “incongruous and visually intrusive”.