Roof tiles for conservation areas
Roof tiles for conservation areas need to look like the traditional roofs around them. Handmade clay tiles do that, and our English Oak range was developed specifically to meet the look and planning demands of conservation areas and heritage properties.
Why handmade tiles suit conservation areas
Handmade tiles vary slightly in size, camber, tone and texture, as old roofs do. Machine-made tiles are uniform, and that uniformity is what makes a new roof stand out against older ones.
When Hopkins Architects designed the new music school at King’s College School in Wimbledon, in a conservation area next to a Grade II listed hall, they chose handmade clay tiles for exactly that reason: natural character and subtle variation that would blend with the setting. Read the project story.
The English Oak range
Introduced in 2025, the range has three colours: English Oak, a brown for seamless repairs and extensions; English Dark Oak, reminiscent of 18th-century South East peg tiles; and the English Oak Blend, a mix of warm, earthy tones that matures with a rich patina.
Working with planners
Planners decide case by case, so involve them early. We can supply samples for planning meetings and, for larger projects, mock-up panels to test colour mixes, as we did for Wimbledon. Jo Mills, our Specifications and Business Development Manager, works with architects and conservation officers to choose the right tile.
Your council’s conservation area appraisal usually describes the roofs it wants to protect. The government explains how conservation areas work in its planning guidance.
Questions about roof tiles for conservation areas
Do I need planning permission to re-roof in a conservation area?
Replacing a roof like for like often doesn’t need permission, but changing materials or appearance can, and the rules vary by council. Check with your local planning authority before you order.
Which Tudor colours suit conservation areas?
The English Oak range was developed for conservation areas and heritage properties, and our Traditional colours suit most period settings. Your conservation officer may have a view, so take samples to them.
Can you make sample panels?
For larger projects we can make mock-up panels to test colour mixes, as we did for King’s College School, Wimbledon.
Where to go next
See the tiles before you choose
We deliver samples by hand wherever we can, and you are welcome at the factory in Lydd by appointment.