Article 4 directive – What Does it Mean for Sash Window Installations?

What is article 4 directive?

If you carry out any work on a property within a conservation area or protected area you need to be aware of the rules regarding Article 4.

Normally, householders are well within their legal rights to make small, minor alterations to their homes without the need to gain planning permission. In law, these are known as ‘permitted development’ rights.

However, Local Planning Authorities can remove some of these ‘permitted development’ rights by making Article 4 directives.

Most often used in conservation areas, Article 4 directives are introduced by the authority when they consider there to be a threat to the character, appearance, or special interest of an area from the loss of features or building details.

In effect, Article 4 directives are designed to safeguard the unique, historic architecture of an area and to control small building work that might have a damaging impact on the historic interest of an area.

How does it affect my sash window installation?

As Article 4 directives are made under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, it is a legal offence to not comply with them and can result in hefty fines.

If you live in an area that is covered by Article 4 directives you will have to seek planning permission for specific work, no matter how big or small, you intend to carry out.

Just because your area has an Article 4 directive, it doesn’t mean that you cannot carry out any alterations to your property whatsoever. The directives simply require that any work that is carried out on the exterior of your property preserves or enhances the overall character of the conservation area in question.

Article 4 directives affect your installation by forcing you to think hard about the aesthetic of the proposed product you buy, and to make sure that it completely matches the existing aesthetic of your conservation area.

The Rose Collection: authentic mock timber sash windows

The stunning aesthetics of the Ultimate Rose, Charisma Rose and Heritage Rose from the Rose Collection uPVC sash windows have been considered so authentic that they have been approved for use in certain conservation areas in the past, including the Lake District. This makes them an excellent range of products to consider if you need to replace a window in an area covered by Article 4 directives.

With an array of heritage features such as traditional hardware, ornate astragal bars and ornamented sash horns, our mock timber sash windows are some of the most convincing you’ll find on the market. They’re also incredibly energy efficiency, and can help to keep your home warmer for longer and save you money on your fuel bills.

Windows from the Rose Collection even utilise woodgrain foils that emulate the look and feel of real timber windows for enhanced authenticity. Many homeowners have trouble telling the difference between windows from the Rose Collection and traditional timber sash windows, such as their heritage appearance!

Get a fast, free quote for the Ultimate Rose, Charisma Rose or Heritage Rose from Roseview today by calling us on 01234 712657 or by sending us an email.

Categories: uPVC Sash Windows