These are particularly important areas of planning and heritage law. Click on the link for the information you want
Most outdoor advertising requires consent with only a few limited exceptions. And most illuminated advertisements need consent.
We can challenge any advertisement put up without consent and ask for it to be removed. The owner can appeal to the Secretary of State.
For more information there is a free booklet on the Department of Communities and Local Government website called Outdoor Advertisements and Signs – A Guide for Advertisers (link opens in a new window)
. We do not have control over the content of advertisements. If you would like to comment or complain about the content of an advertisement, then please contact the Advertising Standards Authority (link opens in new window).
On 1 June 2005 the long-awaited law to control nuisance high hedges came into force and South Northamptonshire Council is responsible for delivering the service.
You may complain to the us if the "reasonable enjoyment of your property is being affected" and you cannot sort it out with your neighbour however hard you try.
The complaint must relate to a high hedge as defined by the law, so ask yourself these questions:
If the answer to all these questions is ‘yes’, then it is a ‘high hedge’ under the law.
If you want to complain there is a form to fill in and there will be a fee for the work.
If either party is unhappy with this process, they can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate (link opens in new window)
This is a difficult and complex area, so please get in touch with us. We are very happy to give you advice, information and support.
Contact our Heritage and Leisure team on
Telephone: 01327 322265
Email: heritage@southnorthants.gov.uk
A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure that has been judged to be of national historical or architectural interest.
It is included on a register called the "List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest", drawn up by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
It is an offence to demolish or alter a listed building without first getting listed building consent.
Regular maintenance and 'like for like' repairs do not need listed building consent but it would be required if the repairs include removal of historic material or changes to its character.
Painting and internal decorating does not need Listed Building Consent but any external painting may require consent as it may affect the character of the Listed Building.
Replacement of modern kitchen and bathroom fittings does not require consent.
Refurbishment involving the removal of internal features, such as doors, fireplaces, plasterwork, panelling or other historic fittings constitutes alterations and listed building consent is required before work is carried out.
Emergency work can be carried out to a listed building without prior consent if you can prove:
Where the Council considers that a tree or group of trees should be protected it may impose a Tree Preservation Order.
Consent is required from the Council before any work, including pruning or felling, is carried out on any tree which is covered by such an Order. Consent to fell trees protected by an Order will only normally be given where there are sound arboricultural or environmental reasons to do so. In granting permission, the Council may require replanting with a suitable species.
For further information on Trees and Tree Preservation Orders look at the related Special Planning Guidance documents on trees (SPGs) in the Planning Policy Document Library.
Consent is required from the Council for the removal of hedgerows in open countryside. It is an offence to remove hedgerow without first obtaining consent.