Scarborough rendering enquiries and coverage

What to send with an enquiry

Daylight photographs of each wall involved, from the ground, with close-ups of cracks, hollow-sounding areas, stains and the base of the wall. Say how many storeys the building has, whether scaffold would need to stand on the pavement, and whether there are conservatories, lower roofs or narrow passages below the wall.

Add what you know about the wall: whether it is brick, block or stone, when it was last rendered or painted, and any previous repairs. Say whether the building is a home, a guesthouse or a business, and which entrances must stay open.

Which authority applies

Inside the North York Moors National Park, planning matters go to the National Park Authority, which has 42 conservation areas, most with Article 4 directions. Government guidance says cladding a house with render or pebble dash in a National Park or conservation area is not permitted development. Addresses outside the Park deal with North Yorkshire Council, whose design guide describes eight character areas within Scarborough town.

Check the boundary for your exact address rather than relying on a nearby place name, and ask the right authority before changing a finish.

Places further afield

The council's design guide groups Scarborough with Whitby and Filey as coastal towns, each with its own character. Enquiries from those towns and from inland places such as Pickering or Malton may be welcome, but travel and availability have not been confirmed for any of them. Confirm coverage before relying on it.

1. 1

   Identify the property and the walls concerned

2. 2

   Photograph the walls, the access and any damage

3. 3

   Check which planning authority covers the address

4. 4

   Confirm coverage and survey arrangements before relying on availability