About the Elstow Conservation Area
The Elstow Conservation Area covers about 13 hectares within Bedford Borough Council’s area. Inside the boundary are 24 listed buildings (3 Grade I, 2 Grade II*, 19 Grade II). The most significant is Hillersdon Mansion, Grade I. Part of the area lies in flood zone 3, 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.
- Hillersdon MansionGrade I
- Parish Church of St Mary and St HelenaGrade I
- Parish Church TowerGrade I
- Bunyan's MeadGrade II*
- Moot HallGrade II*
- 170 and 171, High StreetGrade II
- 172 High StreetGrade II
- 173, High StreetGrade II
- 174, High StreetGrade II
- 204, High StreetGrade II
- 208, 209 and 210, Church EndGrade II
- 215 and 216 West EndGrade II
- Base of Market CrossGrade II
- Bunyan's MeadGrade II
- Bunyan's MeadGrade II
- Bunyan's MeadGrade II
- Elstow Lower SchoolGrade II
- Green CornerGrade II
- Post OfficeGrade II
- St HelenaGrade II
- The Old VicarageGrade II
- The Red Lion Public HouseGrade II
- The Swan Public HouseGrade II
- War Memorial at Elstow Lower SchoolGrade 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
WEBElstow 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.