Extension and planning drawings in Hertford

What are Hertford's homes like?

Hertford is the county town, and it shows. The centre has timber-framed buildings, Georgian townhouses and Victorian terraces, many of them listed. Bengeo and other neighbourhoods near the centre add Victorian and Edwardian houses, while twentieth-century estates and larger detached homes spread to the edges, as at Hertford Heath and Hertingfordbury.

Older houses often have uneven walls, narrow rooms and thick chimney stacks, so a good survey matters before any design work begins.

How much of Hertford is protected?

A lot. A conservation area covers the historic town, Hertingfordbury has its own, and listed buildings are scattered throughout. In a conservation area, side extensions and rear extensions of more than one storey are not permitted development, and roof extensions such as dormers need planning permission. A listed building needs listed building consent for any change that affects its character, including inside.

Work done without that consent can be a criminal offence, so it is worth asking the council before you commission drawings.

The historic centre is compact, with narrow streets and little room to store materials, so access for builders and deliveries can shape both the design and the programme.

Which council decides?

East Herts Council is the local planning authority for SG13 and SG14, and it has a conservation and listed building team that can advise on older properties. Its planning department makes the decisions. A few edge addresses may be covered by a different council, so check by postcode.

What are the common projects?

• extending the back of a Victorian terrace into the side return
• converting a roof space in a terrace or semi, where the pitch is usually steep enough to work
• reordering a Georgian townhouse while keeping its character
• adding to a larger detached house on the edge of town
• changing an integral garage into a room

What about trees and neighbours?

Trees in a conservation area are protected, so you must tell the council before cutting or pruning them. Terraces share walls, so a loft or side return may need a party wall notice. If your project goes close to a neighbour's building, ask about it early.

Where do I start?

Send your postcode, your house type and whether it is listed or in a conservation area. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to a architectural designer, if one covers your postcode. If nobody covers your area, we tell you and your details go nowhere.