Hartburn conservation area
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council designated Hartburn a conservation area in 1971. The council's Article 4 Directions cover parts of the borough's conservation areas and remove some permitted development rights. That can mean planning permission is needed for a new hard surface at the front, for new or altered front gates, front boundaries, and for demolishing a front wall (Article 4 Directions).
Check whether your property falls within the Article 4 area before designing a new drive. Our conservation areas guide sets out what to ask the planning team.
What suits Hartburn houses
Big frontages give room for a drive that does more than run straight to a garage:
- Gravel with granite sett or brick edging. A buff or golden gravel sweep is the traditional look for an Edwardian villa, and it is permeable.
- Clay pavers or tumbled block paving in warm reds and browns for a harder-wearing surface that still looks aged.
- Resin-bound in a natural stone blend where a smooth, low-maintenance finish is wanted.
Plain grey concrete blocks and black tarmac can look out of place against old brick and stone, and in a conservation area they may be harder to get approved.
Trees, walls and long drives
Hartburn's mature trees are part of its character. Trees in a conservation area are protected, and you must give the council six weeks' notice before most work on them. Roots near a new drive need care: excavation for a deep sub-base can damage them, and "no-dig" cellular systems are sometimes used near trees.
Long drives also raise practical points:
- Drainage. A large impermeable area on glacial clay sheds a lot of water. Permeable surfaces or proper soakaways matter. See permeable driveways.
- Gates. In the Article 4 area, new gates and piers may need permission.
- Lighting. Low-level lights along a long drive are best ducted before surfacing.
Near Ropner Park
Ropner Park, Stockton's Victorian park and a registered historic park, sits between Hartburn and Oxbridge. Streets close to it have some of the area's finest houses, with front boundaries that are worth keeping.
Common questions
Is all of Hartburn under Article 4?
Not necessarily every property. Check the council's conservation area and Article 4 maps for your address.
Can I replace my front wall with gates?
In the Article 4 area, new or altered gates, front boundaries at the front can need planning permission. Ask before you start.
Is gravel practical for a long drive?
Yes, with a firm sub-base, edging and ideally grid panels. A solid apron at the road stops stones reaching the pavement.
Do I need to tell the council about tree work?
In a conservation area you normally need to give six weeks' notice before cutting down or pruning most trees.