Conservation statutes for Detmerode

Appearance that characterizes the town should be preserved

• What is the central aim of the preservation statute? What is it essentially about?

  The law stipulates that the townscape must not be impaired by structural changes and that a minimum level of townscape preservation must be ensured. This means that the conservation statutes are there to ensure that the architectural appearance of Detmerode remains as it is. This is because Detmerode is considered a significant example of late modern architectural design and is therefore particularly worthy of protection.

• When does the conservation statute apply?

  Our aim is to present the conservation statutes to the Wolfsburg City Council for a decision on June 18. If the Council agrees, the conservation statutes can then be drawn up and published.

• Who can I contact if I have any questions?

  If you have any questions regarding the establishment and content of the conservation statutes, please contact Anja Meyer (phone: 05361-28 2605, e-mail: anja.meyer@stadt.wolfsburg.de)
  
  The Redevelopment and Townscape Design Department of the Urban Planning and Building Consultancy Division is responsible for implementing the conservation statutes. Contact persons are Pierre Rey (phone: 05361-28 2781, pierre.rey@stadt.wolfsburg.de) and Kathrin Göttler (phone: 05361-28 2820, kathrin.goettler@stadt.wolfsburg.de)

• Do I first have to submit a planning application with my plans or can I get advice on my changes in advance?

  Of course, it is possible and also advisable to seek advice before submitting an application. The Redevelopment and Urban Design Department of the Urban Planning and Building Consultancy Division is responsible for this. Contact persons are Pierre Rey (phone: 05361-28 2781, pierre.rey@stadt.wolfsburg.de) and Kathrin Göttler (phone: 05361-28 2820, kathrin.goettler@stadt.wolfsburg.de).

• Which changes are permitted and which are not?

  Unfortunately, it is not possible to say in general terms what is allowed and what is not, as this always depends on the individual case. In principle, however, it can be said that higher standards apply to areas that are very homogeneous and still original than to areas that have already been heavily modified.

  One example: If changes are to be made to the façade, then this is possible in principle, but only to the extent that the townscape is not altered. If, for example, red clinker brick is characteristic of the area, a new white plaster façade will not be possible.

  It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with the proposed changes.

• What criteria are decisive for change?

  Unfortunately, it is not possible to say in general terms what is permitted and what is not, as this always depends on the individual case. However, the decisive factor is always the actual appearance and the existing qualities that characterize the local area in the immediate vicinity. In principle, it can be said that higher standards apply to districts that are very homogeneous and still original than to districts that have already been heavily altered.

• Is the whole of Detmerode comparable or are there differences?

  The individual neighborhoods in Detmerode are quite different in terms of their characteristic design features. There are districts that are still very homogeneous and original and are therefore also very worthy of protection (e.g. district EFH_01, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße / Robert-Schumann-Straße). Comparatively high standards apply here in order to preserve the existing buildings that still characterize the area.

  However, there are also districts that have already been heavily altered and where the original condition is less recognizable (e.g. district EFH_07B, Hinrich-Kopf-Straße / Karl-Arnold-Ring). Here, comparatively lower standards apply and further changes are easier to make because the original buildings that shape the townscape have already been altered.

  However, structural alterations must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not.

• I live in a neighborhood that is still very original, what options do I have?

  Neighborhoods that are still very homogeneous and original are therefore also very worthy of protection (e.g. neighborhood EFH_01, Hermann-Ehlers-Straße / Robert-Schumann-Straße). Accordingly, comparatively high demands are placed on the characteristic conservation objectives here. However, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any proposed changes.

• I live in a neighborhood where not much is left of the original townscape, so a lot has already been changed, what options do I have?

  In principle, more change is possible in districts that have already been heavily altered and where the original state is less recognizable, as the original buildings that shape the townscape have already been reshaped (e.g. district EFH_07B, Hinrich-Kopf-Straße / Karl-Arnold-Ring). In principle, however, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with the proposed changes.

• Am I allowed to make changes to my facade and windows?

  Changes always depend on the individual case. The aim of the conservation statutes is to preserve the buildings that characterize the townscape of the district. Façades and windows have a very significant impact on the appearance of the streetscape. Changes are therefore dependent on whether the project changes the appearance or not.

  An example: If red clinker brick is characteristic of the area, a new white rendered façade will not be possible. Or if white window frames predominate in the district, these must be reinstalled in white.

  In principle, however, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any proposed changes.

• There are legal requirements for the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings that must be complied with (e.g. the Building Energy Act -__-0000-__-). What applies to me then? The GEG or the conservation statutes?

  If the energy-efficient refurbishment would impair the appearance of the building, it is possible to deviate from the energy-efficient refurbishment. This is stated in § 105 GEG. This means that the conservation statute would be weighted more heavily if the building is worth preserving.

  In principle, however, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any proposed changes.

• Are there also specifications for refurbishment measures inside the building?

  Structural measures that relate exclusively to the interior of a building are not covered by the regulations of the conservation statutes. The reason for this is that these measures have no so-called "relevance under land law" and do not impair the appearance of the building as defined by the conservation statutes.

• Can I build a photovoltaic system on my roof?

  The installation of PV systems on roofs is generally possible if they do not impair the townscape and the characteristic design features of buildings. This could be achieved, for example, through a visually considerate structural design that takes sufficient account of the appearance of roof surfaces worthy of preservation in the respective individual case. This could be, for example, moving away from the street-side roof edge.

  In principle, however, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any proposed changes.

• What about green roofs, is that permissible?

  As a rule, the creation of a green roof does not impair the external appearance of buildings worthy of preservation.

  However, structural changes must always be considered on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine in advance what is permitted and what is not. It is advisable to contact the specialist administration directly with any planned changes.

• Can I carry out a flat roof renovation if the height of my roof structure changes?

  Roof refurbishments may generally be carried out if they do not impair the townscape and the characteristic design features of buildings. According to the current state of the art, a higher roof structure is often necessary for flat roof renovations. This means that the parapet wall can be modified to a small extent. Maximum elevations of a slight height are therefore possible as long as the design of the parapet wall corresponds to the characteristic design features of the respective district.