WF8 PROJECT PREPARATION BRIEF
Altering a Pontefract property with an older frontage

Prepared by ATR Developments Limited. You can use this with your designer or builder.
These are preparation prompts, not a property survey or a permissions decision.

Project address: ______________________________
Proposed work: ________________________________
Intended use / occupation: ____________________

For an older Pontefract property, distinguish changes to the street-facing building from work behind it. A shop, upper floor or rear addition can involve different access and design decisions. For addresses around Darrington or the Smeatons, confirm the authority and site history independently.

DECISIONS TO RESOLVE

1. Record the frontage before designing openings
Check the property’s listing and conservation information and photograph existing doors, windows and masonry. Describe proposed repairs separately from changes in size or appearance.
[ ] Gather: A frontage survey and a repair-versus-alteration schedule.
Notes: ________________________________________

2. Locate the workable rear route
Confirm access to yards and upper floors and identify any shared ownership or occupation. Do not price a rear extension or conversion around an assumed route through adjoining premises.
[ ] Gather: An access plan and written details of any agreed shared use.
Notes: ________________________________________

ADDRESS CHECKS
[ ] Confirm the authority using the full address: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
[ ] Establish applicable permissions with the relevant authority and advisers.

PRIMARY RESOURCES

Local maps & character documents
Selected links from the council’s directory. Use the named area and boundary to check relevance to your property; these documents do not apply to the whole postcode.
Pontefract Market Place: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/pjyd311v/pontefract-market-place-appraisal-management-plan.pdf
The Mount, Pontefract: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/media/v2phuja4/appraisal-management-guidelines-the-mount.pdf

Wakefield Council
Locate the address, earlier decisions and any applicable conservation-area information.
Planning history: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications-and-advice/help-with-a-planning-application/how-to-view-applications-online/
Conservation areas: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/planning/heritage-conservation-and-tree-preservation/conservation-areas/

North Yorkshire Council
Choose the correct area and site in the council service; do not infer the planning authority from the postcode prefix.
Planning history by area: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/planning-and-conservation/view-and-comment-planning-applications/view-and-comment-planning-applications-your-area
Heritage & conservation: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/planning-and-conservation/heritage-conservation-areas-and-listed-buildings

Historic England
Search for an individual listed building. This is a different check from whether it stands in a conservation area.
Search the National Heritage List: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

Resource review: 2026-10-16
No project cost, permission or availability is confirmed by this checklist.