Blog

21 May

Conservation Considerations

The UK has a long history, with much of this reflected in the rich array of architecture across the country in thousands of listed buildings. Many of these lie in conservation areas, and due care and consideration is needed when renovations and other construction work is undertaken – both with the level of expertise in the work and the materials used.

There are strict planning rules and regulations in place, which govern every aspect of renovation and construction work. This applies to all building types, including those which are listed or are in conservation areas. It can seem confusing when you are given the task of roofing on such buildings, but knowing the facts can help you complete the job easily.

Product Sourcing

A roof forms a large part of the external character of a building, and is often seen for miles around. This makes roofing work important when compared to the surrounding area and can destroy the character of a building when done incorrectly.

Rather than using your local preferred supplier as you would do with normal roofing jobs, it is more likely that you will have to search for a specific material to match existing roofing slates or tiles. In many cases, the original style of material may not be produced, or may be completely unavailable. When this is the case, the only realistic option will be to source roofing materials which are sympathetic with their surroundings and are deemed usable by the authorities involved.

When it comes to slates, the JRC range can help you get attractive materials which give an authentic finish. For example, slates within our Calidad range are great replacements for those slates which originally came from the Cornish Delabole and Mill Hill quarries.

Preparation

All planning applications are important, but in conservation areas or where listed buildings are involved, the process is more rigorous. Careful consideration is given to planning applications in these areas, making the process longer than usual. With this in mind, the timescales laid out should be extended to take the process into account.

Applications for straight replacements are often processed quicker than extensions and more intensive construction work, but times can still vary depending on your local authority. This is important for all involved, from architects and buyers planning extra costs and source lead time, through to the roofers completing the job.

Even if you are simply repairing part of a roof, rather than replacing the whole thing, it is still important to find out what consent is needed for the property in question. Similarly to the slates or roofing tiles themselves, the chimney stacks, pots, gutters, valleys and other aspects may not be available as original. Even when the replacement is like-for-like, buildings in conservation areas will need permission before work is undertaken.

How We Can Help

Being an expert supplier, we can help you through the sourcing process and give advice on the best slates for roofing projects. We always take looks, quality and general suitability to the job at hand when recommending slates so that you get the best results. When getting your slates from JRC and our network of distributors, you can be sure of the highest product quality, excellent service and trustworthy advice.