About the St Bees Conservation Area
The St Bees Conservation Area covers about 26 hectares and was designated by Cumberland Council in 1976. Inside the boundary are 33 listed buildings (4 Grade I, 2 Grade II*, 27 Grade II). The most significant is Church of St Mary and St Bega, 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.
- Church of St Mary and St BegaGrade I
- Cross in Churchyard to North of Priory Church NaveGrade I
- St Bees Priory, former chancel to Priory Church of St Mary and St Bega (Old College Hall)Grade I
- Wall, To West of Priory Church Nave, Incorporating Medieval Cross and LintelGrade I
- Manor Stead and House Adjoining to NorthGrade II*
- Pow Bridge Over Pow BeckGrade II*
- 1-11, Lonsdale TerraceGrade II
- 1-5, Vale ViewGrade II
- 16, Finkle StreetGrade II
- 81, Main StreetGrade II
- 82, Main StreetGrade II
- Abbey FarmhouseGrade II
- Ashley House, North East of Number 16 Finkle StreetGrade II
- Barn Range Adjoining South End of Abbey FarmhouseGrade II
- Barn to North East of High HouseGrade II
- Croft HouseGrade II
- Fairladies Farmhouse and Adjoining BarnGrade II
- Forecourt Wall, Gate, And End Piers to Front of Grindal HouseGrade II
- Forecourt Walls, Railings, And Gate Piers to Number 52 (redbourn House)Grade II
- Grindal HouseGrade II
- Lych Gate to North East of Priory Church ChancelGrade II
- Manor House Hotel Incorporating Numbers 10, 11 and 12Grade II
- Mayfield and House Adjoining to EastGrade II
- New College HallGrade II
Show all 33 listed buildings ↓All 33 listed buildings
- Orchard HouseGrade II
- Property Adjoining South End of Number 125Grade II
- Railings and Gate Closing West Side of Quadrangle at St Bees SchoolGrade II
- Redbourn HouseGrade II
- St Bees School Buildings Around Quadrangle to South WestGrade II
- Stone HouseGrade II
- Sundial in Churchyard to North East of Priory Church ChancelGrade II
- War Memorial Adjoining South End of West Parapet to Pow BridgeGrade II
- War Memorial in Parish Churchyard to North of Lych GateGrade 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
WEBSt Bees Conservation Area AppraisalCumberland 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 Cumberland Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.