Have your say on new measures to protect Great Yarmouth's historic buildings

The new rules will apply to the whole of the Market Place, Rows & North Quay, and King Street conservation areas, and part of the St Nicholas and Northgate conservation areas.

Under the proposals, property owners will need to check with the council before making certain changes to their buildings, including:

• New doors or windows, changes to roofs or adding front porches on houses
• Changes to gates, fences, and walls
• Painting the outside of buildings

Senior strategic planner Kim Balls said: "These new rules don't stop people making improvements to their properties, and in fact we are producing new guidance to help people to do just that and make the conservation areas nicer places to live in and to visit. We also have grants available to help pay for things like improving shop fronts in these areas.

"The aim of the new rules is to make sure that any changes are made sensitively and help protect the overall character of the conservation areas for future generations."

The changes are technically known as an Article 4 direction and will apply to the area covered by the Great Yarmouth High Street Heritage Action Zone, plus some neighbouring areas.

The zone is the focus of a £2.4m project that which puts heritage and the local community at the heart of revitalising the town centre, and is a four-year programme, led by the borough council in partnership with Historic England.

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England said: "Article 4 Directions are an important proactive tool the Borough Council can use to help protect the wonderful detail and character that is so important to Great Yarmouth's unique and special townscape, and ensure it remains for future generations.

"I'm pleased to see that new guidance and the opportunity to apply for grants will support property owners to restore historic features on buildings and help rejuvenate the Great Yarmouth High Street Heritage Action Zone for people to live, work and visit."

Public consultation on the changes runs from February 14 until March 8. Visit our Consultations and surveys page for full details of the proposals and how to respond to the consultation.