Heritage Conservation Areas

Identifying a heritage conservation area is the culmination of historical research which includes the assessment of an area’s heritage significance and the collective nature of buildings and components which contribute to the quality of the area and streetscape. These may include the historical subdivision pattern, consistency in building form, siting and scale, materials or common age of building stock which reflect a particular period or periods in the history and growth of the area.

Council’s objectives are simply to protect and conserve the significant elements, including the special character, setting or consistent streetscape of the heritage conservation area by ensuring that new sustainable development is sympathetic and does not have a negative impact on the significance of the heritage conservation area and its distinctive character.

The Willoughby Development Control Plan contains more detailed heritage provisions than contained in Willoughby Local Environment Plan 2012, providing additional specific details on the twelve heritage conservation areas including:

• A map of the heritage conservation area
• Historical background and description
• A statement of significance
• Key period of significance
• Management policies
• Controls for future development

In order to retain the significant elements of a heritage conservation area, while allowing for sympathetic development to occur, proposed alterations and additions to a property need to be compatible with the heritage qualities of the heritage conservation area.

Some of the main development control provisions which may apply include:

• Specific controls relating to floor space ratio, scale, setbacks, building envelope, car parking, materials and detailing controls applying to any new work in order to retain the special qualities of the area and its setting.
• Development consent from Council is required for most changes to all buildings and new development within heritage conservation areas. A development application for such work must demonstrate that careful consideration has been given to any impact on the property and the surrounding streetscape and must be accompanied with a Heritage Impact Statement (refer to WDCP Part H.1.3).
• Minor work might be considered to be exempt development in some circumstances. If in doubt contact Council’s staff for advice on whether proposed work is considered to be maintenance or minor work that would be exempt from a development application.
• Some additional accommodation may be located within the existing roof space, whilst retaining the existing scale and streetscape presentation of the building. 

• Maintaining the heritage qualities and original features of residential buildings in a heritage conservation area can contribute positively to property values.
• Inclusion in a heritage conservation area provides owners and intending purchasers’ greater certainty that the amenity of the area is protected. Development requires consideration of how the proposal will protect, preserve and reinforce the key characteristics of the heritage conservation area.
• Protection against inappropriate development detracting from individual properties and the distinctive identity of the heritage conservation area.

• Inclusion in a heritage conservation area does not prohibit change. However, any proposed alterations to a property need to be compatible with the heritage qualities of the heritage conservation area.
• Buildings are best cared for when they are lived in, this means that they must be useable. Upgrading kitchens, bathrooms, services and rear extensions to meet contemporary standards are commonly approved changes.
• Additions should be designed to be sympathetic to the original but need not replicate original detailing. It can be quite appropriate for new work to be in a contemporary style.
• Council considers every application for work to a property on a case-by-case basis, to assess the impact on the property and the heritage conservation area.
• The external setting of individual properties includes pathways, existing hard surfaces, gardens, fencing, landscape features and trees.
• If a property has been inappropriately altered in the past, Council will not make you return the house to its original state.
• General maintenance and repairs to properties located within heritage conservation areas do not require the formal approval of a development application providing no new materials are introduced as part of the maintenance work: i.e. roof tiles may be replaced with roof tiles that match the colour, finish and detail of the existing roof tiles.