About the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey Conservation Area
The Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey Conservation Area covers about 69 hectares and was designated by Epping Forest District Council in 1981. Inside the boundary are 21 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 6 Grade II*, 14 Grade II). The most significant is Ministry of Defence Building L157 (group C Incorporating Mills), 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.
- Ministry of Defence Building L157 (group C Incorporating Mills)Grade I
- Ministry of Defence Building L148 (group G Incorporating Mills)Grade II*
- Ministry of Defence Building L149 (group E Incorporating Mills)Grade II*
- Ministry of Defence Building L153 (group D Incororating Mills)Grade II*
- Ministry of Defence Building Numbers L176 (boiler House) and L177Grade II*
- Ministry of Defence Buildings A201 and A202 at Tl 3768800948Grade II*
- Ministry of Defence Number L168 (engine House and Mechanics' Shop)Grade II*
- 1-4 RiverviewGrade II
- Cordite Press House known as L134Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building H7 at Tl 3756 0011Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L133 at Tl 3674 0144Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L135 at Tl 3766 0144Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L136 at Tl 3764 0142Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L141Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L145 (group F Incorporating Mills)Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L154 (expense Magazine)Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L165 at Tl 3777 0108Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L167 at Tl 3777 0112Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building L170a at Tl 3778 0109Grade II
- Ministry of Defence Building Number A200 (walton House)Grade II
- The Lodge (ministry of Defence Building Number A221)Grade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBRoyal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey Conservation Area AppraisalEpping Forest 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 Epping Forest District Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.