About the Aspenden Conservation Area
The Aspenden Conservation Area covers about 24 hectares and was designated by East Hertfordshire District Council in 1981. Inside the boundary are 14 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 13 Grade II). The most significant is Parish Church of St Mary (church of England), 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 Mary (church of England)Grade I
- Aspenden CottageGrade II
- Aspenden HallGrade II
- Bell Bridge HouseGrade II
- Bourne CottageGrade II
- Dove CottageGrade II
- GorehamburyGrade II
- K6 Telephone Kiosk Approximately 7 Metres West of Dove CottageGrade II
- Shem NicholsGrade II
- Stable at the Old Rectory (15m to West of House)Grade II
- Street FarmhouseGrade II
- The Bell HouseGrade II
- The Fox Public HouseGrade II
- The Old RectoryGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBAspenden Conservation Area AppraisalEast Hertfordshire District 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 East Hertfordshire District Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.