About the Bletsoe Conservation Area
The Bletsoe Conservation Area covers about 14 hectares and was designated by Bedford Borough Council in 2007. Inside the boundary are 17 listed buildings (2 Grade II*, 15 Grade II). The most significant is Bletsoe Castle, Grade II*.
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.
- Bletsoe CastleGrade II*
- Church of St Mary the VirginGrade II*
- 1-6, Top RowGrade II
- 1, OldwayGrade II
- 15 and 17, Memorial LaneGrade II
- 2 and 3, OldwayGrade II
- 36, The AvenueGrade II
- 38 and 42, The AvenueGrade II
- 44, The AvenueGrade II
- 46-52, The AvenueGrade II
- 54-62, The AvenueGrade II
- Barn at Bletsoe Castle Farm, Adjacent to DriveGrade II
- Bridge Over Bletsoe Castle MoatGrade II
- Old Pear Tree CottageGrade II
- Old RectoryGrade II
- Pixie CottageGrade II
- The Old School and School HouseGrade 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
WEBBletsoe 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.