About the Cotherstone Conservation Area
The Cotherstone Conservation Area covers about 75 hectares and was designated by Durham County Council in 1984. Inside the boundary are 15 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 14 Grade II). The most significant is Balder Bridge, 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.
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.
- Balder BridgeGrade II*
- Brook HouseGrade II
- Brook Lea House (shown on Os Map As Brook House)Grade II
- Cotherstone Friends Meeting HouseGrade II
- Elwy Cottage and Laburnum Cottage and Branton Cottage and Garden WallsGrade II
- Fox HallGrade II
- Gilmour House, Former Byre and BarnGrade II
- Hallgarth Hill HouseGrade II
- Red Lion Inn and Red Lion CottageGrade II
- Saltoun HouseGrade II
- Summerhouse and Attached Garden Wall, 30 Metres North East of Hagg HouseGrade II
- The Green and Front Garden WallGrade II
- The Manor HouseGrade II
- Weatherby House and Wall and Doorway to RightGrade II
- Woodvine CottagesGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from Durham County Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.