About the Chelmer And Blackwater Navigation Conservation Area
The Chelmer And Blackwater Navigation Conservation Area covers about 482 hectares and was designated by Chelmsford City Council in 1991. Inside the boundary are 20 listed buildings, all Grade II. 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.
Article 4 directions here
These overlap the conservation area. Householder directions remove more of the rights above; change-of-use ones don’t affect extending a house.
- Hollybred Farm, Little BaddowChange of use
- West Bowers Farm, Woodham WalterChange of use
- Culverts Farm, Boreham And Whitwells Farm, Little BaddowChange of use
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.
- Barnes MillGrade II
- Barnes Mill HouseGrade II
- Barnes Mill Lock, Including Lock Gates, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Bridge over Chelmer and Blackwater CanalGrade II
- Brook End Bridge, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Cuton Lock, Including Lock Gates and Three Bollards to Each Tow Path, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Former barn at east edge of yard to the former Barnes farmhouseGrade II
- Former Barnes FarmhouseGrade II
- Little Baddow Lock, Including Lock Gates and Four Bollards to Each Tow Path, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Meadow ViewGrade II
- Moulsham Corn MillGrade II
- Moulsham Mill HouseGrade II
- Paper Mill Lock, Including Lock Gates, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Pease HallGrade II
- Phillow's FarmhouseGrade II
- Prentices FarmGrade II
- Sandford Bridge, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Sandford Lock, Including Lock Gates, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
- Springfield Lock including lock gatesGrade II
- Stonhams Lock, Including Lock Gates and Bollards, Chelmer and Blackwater NavigationGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBChelmer And Blackwater Navigation Conservation Area AppraisalChelmsford City 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 Chelmsford City Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.