To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on the use of Article 4 directions in relation to conservation areas. (283772)

Guidance on the use of article 4 directions in relation to conservation areas is provided in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and in DoE Circular 9/95. A consultation document on a new Planning Policy Statement to replace PPG 15 will be issued shortly.