PLANS to add building restrictions in Holcombe Village conservation area could be put out to public consultation.

If the proposal is approved, people would have to gain the council's permission to extend their house, build a porch or chimney, build a swimming pool, lay down a new road or make significant changes to a point of access.

In certain circumstances, people would also be obliged to seek permission if they wanted to replace external doors or windows, change a boundary wall or put up fences and gates.

In a report to be presented to Bury planning committee a town hall meeting on Tuesday, the council's development control manager Dave Marno says the Government now allows people to change the use of some buildings without the council's permission.

He adds: "An example of such permitted changes of use include the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential, schools, creches and nurseries.

"Holcombe is littered with many such buildings and the character that these buildings contribute to the conservation area is significant.

"It is considered that the potential permitted changes of use, if implemented, would significantly impact upon the character of the conservation area in a detrimental way."

The concern is that such buildings feature signs and advertisements that would "harm the special character of the area."

The council is considering introducing an Article 4 direction, which would exempt the conservation area from the recent changes introduced by the Government.

At Tuesday's meeting, the committee will be asked to give the green light for a consultation period and, if that happens, public views would be given to the committee at a later date, before a final decision is made.

Holcombe Village and its surroundings became part of a conservation area in 1970 in a bid to preserve its character.

It means that people must get Bury Council's permission before erecting or changing buildings.

Heritage conservation consultants Kathryn Sather and Associates assessed the conservation area in 2010 and made a number of recommendations which the council implemented.

Visit tinyurl.com/holcombeconservation for more information.