About the Biddenham Conservation Area
The Biddenham Conservation Area covers about 21 hectares within Bedford Borough Council’s area. Inside the boundary are 20 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 19 Grade II). The most significant is Parish Church of St James, Grade I. Part of the area lies in flood zone 2, so an extension may need a flood risk assessment.
What changes inside the conservation area
Conservation areas are “Article 2(3) land”. You keep most permitted development rights, but these are removed or tightened.
- Rear extensionElsewhere: 3 m · 6 m with PANo 6 m / 8 m prior approval
- Two-storey extensionElsewhere: 3 mNeeds planning permission
- Side extensionElsewhere: Half the widthNeeds planning permission
- Loft conversionElsewhere: 50 m³Needs planning permission
- Garden roomElsewhere: 2.5 m high by boundariesNot beside the house
- PorchElsewhere: 3 m²Same limits
- Solar panelsElsewhere: 0.2 m projectionSame limits
- Air source heat pumpElsewhere: 1 unitNot facing the road
- Fences, walls and gatesElsewhere: 2 m · 1 m by a roadSame limits
- External claddingElsewhere: Matching materialsNeeds planning permission
- Tree workElsewhere: No notice6 weeks’ notice to the council
- Demolition (over 115 m³)Elsewhere: AllowedNeeds planning permission
Limits for a semi-detached house under the GPDO 2015. An Article 4 direction can remove more.
Listed buildings in the conservation area
Any work affecting these needs listed building consent, inside or out. Each links to its entry on the National Heritage List.
- Parish Church of St JamesGrade I
- 11, Main RoadGrade II
- 19, Main RoadGrade II
- 20-28, Main RoadGrade II
- 23, Main RoadGrade II
- 3, Gold LaneGrade II
- 35, Main RoadGrade II
- 37-41, Main RoadGrade II
- 39 and 41, Church EndGrade II
- 48 and 50, Main RoadGrade II
- 49-53, Main RoadGrade II
- 55, Church EndGrade II
- 55, Main RoadGrade II
- Grove FarmhouseGrade II
- Manor FarmhouseGrade II
- The Old GranaryGrade II
- The Old VicarageGrade II
- The White CottageGrade II
- Three Tuns Public HouseGrade II
- Walnut CottageGrade II
Streets in the conservation area
Streets with listed buildings inside the boundary. Boundaries often split a street — check your exact address.
The council’s appraisal
WEBBiddenham Conservation Area AppraisalBedford Borough Council’s description of the area’s character — what planners look at when you apply.Open on council site ↗Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from Bedford Borough Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.