England’s new pavement charging rights will exclude conservation areas. Drivers can still seek planning permission, with highway approval also required, reports The Charging Scheme.
The Charging Scheme writes:
Electric vehicle owners without driveways in England’s conservation areas will be excluded from new permitted development rights for cross-pavement charging, according to reports published by The Times and Highways News…
… affected residents will not gain the same simplified planning route as eligible households elsewhere… government says councils can grant area-wide permission if they choose…
Permission remains possible
Conservation areas protect places of special architectural or historic interest. The government’s stated position is that improving charging access must be balanced against protecting that character. A government spokesman, quoted by Highways News and The Telegraph, said: ‘People in conservation areas without off-street parking can still apply for planning permission to install a cross-pavement solution. Local authorities also have powers to grant blanket permission for these installations in an entire area if they choose to.’
