About the Chelmsford Central Conservation Area
The Chelmsford Central Conservation Area covers about 9.1 hectares and was designated by Chelmsford City Council in 2007. Inside the boundary are 45 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 2 Grade II*, 42 Grade II). The most significant is Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, 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.
- Cathedral Church of St Mary the VirginGrade I
- 26, High StreetGrade II*
- Shire HallGrade II*
- 11, High StreetGrade II
- 13, Duke StreetGrade II
- 14-16, Duke StreetGrade II
- 15, High StreetGrade II
- 16 and 17, High StreetGrade II
- 2 and 3, Duke StreetGrade II
- 2, High StreetGrade II
- 4, Duke StreetGrade II
- 4, Tindal StreetGrade II
- 5 and 6, Duke StreetGrade II
- 54, New StreetGrade II
- 56 and 57, High StreetGrade II
- 58 and 59, High StreetGrade II
- 5a, Springfield RoadGrade II
- 6, New StreetGrade II
- 72 and 73, Duke StreetGrade II
- 96, High StreetGrade II
- Block Bs3/sr4 on East Side of Courtyard at No 7Grade II
- Blocks C and D, County HallGrade II
- Crown Court OfficeGrade II
- Gates and Gate Piers to the Graveyard of the Cathedral Church of St Mary the VirginGrade II
Show all 45 listed buildings ↓All 45 listed buildings
- Granary Block Sr5 at North End of No 7Grade II
- Guy HarlingsGrade II
- Hop Kiln and Office and Store at No 7Grade II
- K6 Telephone Kiosk adjacent to 6 Duke Street, ChelmsfordGrade II
- Maltings on West Side of Courtyard at No 7Grade II
- Mausoleum, East of East End of Cathedral Commemorating John Wallinger and I Arnold WallingerGrade II
- MaynetreesGrade II
- Memorial Cross 18 Yards North of Iron Gates, Commemorating H F Johnson, D D Archdeacon of ColchesterGrade II
- Monument 34 Yards East of Chancel, Commemorating Members of the Gilson FamilyGrade II
- Monument, 19 Yards North of North Aisle, Commemorating William Baker and Garrad BakerGrade II
- No. 5, SPRINGFIELD ROADGrade II
- No. 91, HIGH STREETGrade II
- Nos. 13 AND 14, HIGH STREETGrade II
- Obelisk, North East of Chancel Commemorating George Wray and Ann WrayGrade II
- Part of Midland BankGrade II
- Sarcophagus, 13 Yards West of West Entrance. Commemorating E E Parker, E C Parker and J D ParkerGrade II
- Stable Building Off North West Corner of Courtyard at No 7Grade II
- Statue of Sir Nicholas Conyngham TindalGrade II
- The Old Police StationGrade II
- The Saracen's Head HotelGrade II
- Tomb to North West of Iron Gates, Commemorating M A Woolmer, M E Eve and Mary SmithGrade 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
WEBChelmsford Central 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.