PROPOSALS limiting homeowners from making alterations to their properties have been given the go ahead by Torfaen council.

Yesterday, councillors approved a notice withdrawing permitted development rights within the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area.

The Article 4 (2) Direction will affect Blaenavon properties in Broad Street - numbers 23, 27, 27A, 29, 44 and 45 - and number two in Cross Street.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) advised the direction so the council can better manage the heritage area in relation to a pending funding bid for conservation projects, the meeting heard.

A notice will be now be served on affected properties for a period of up to six months alongside a 21-day public consultation.

Following this period, a report will be made and the council will decide whether the notice should be made permanent.

In practice, the Article 4 (2) direction means certain alterations which would normally be “permitted developments” would now need planning permission.

Homeowners will now have to apply to Torfaen council's planning department for changes including external painting work alongside alterations to roofs, gates, fences and walls fronting a highway, waterway or open space.

In response to a question from Blaenavon councillor, Stuart Evans, council officer Richard Lewis confirmed that homeowners would not have to pay planning fees for these types of changes.

The aim, a Torfaen council report states, is to tackle the impact of “poor quality” residential repairs/interventions on the quality and character of the conservation area”.

This is also linked to the Blaenavon Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (2017-2022).

As previously reported, Torfaen council secured round one approval from the HLF for a Townscape Heritage Programme on the central area of Broad Street, Blaenavon.

A round two application is being prepared and would allow the council to access up to £1.2million funding.

In response to a question from cllr Janet Jones, Mr Lewis added that the changes only affect alterations made after the planning notice is served.