About the Sowton Conservation Area
The Sowton Conservation Area covers about 11 hectares and was designated by East Devon District Council in 1976. Inside the boundary are 19 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 17 Grade II). The most significant is Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, 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.
- Parish Church of St Michael and All AngelsGrade I
- Lychgate 15 Metres South-East of Sowton Parish ChurchGrade II*
- 11, 12 and 13, Sowton LaneGrade II
- 14, 15, 16 and 17, Sowton LaneGrade II
- 3, 4 and 5, Sowton LaneGrade II
- 9 and 10, Sowton LaneGrade II
- Clystbeare and Clystbeare CottagesGrade II
- Court Lodge With Gatepiers and GateGrade II
- Hart Tomb Stone 10 Metres North of Sowton Parish ChurchGrade II
- Hole Tomb Stone 2.5 Metres North of Sowton Parish ChurchGrade II
- K6 Telephone KioskGrade II
- Railing of Bridge Over A Former Mill Leat, 140 Metres South-South-West of Court Lodge on the Former Drive to Bishops CourtGrade II
- Set of 3 Tomb Chests 10 Metres South-South-East of Sowton Parish ChurchGrade II
- Sowton Village HallGrade II
- Starr's FarmhouseGrade II
- The Old RectoryGrade II
- Tomb Chest 12 Metres South-South-East of Sowton Parish ChurchGrade II
- Venn's Farmhouse and Adjoining Farmbuildings to South-WestGrade II
- Virginia CottageGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from East Devon District Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.