About the Porlock Conservation Area
The Porlock Conservation Area covers about 21 hectares and was designated by Exmoor National Park in 1984. Inside the boundary are 11 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 9 Grade II). The most significant is Church of St Dubricius, 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 DubriciusGrade I
- Doverhay Reading Room and Cottage Abutting North EndGrade II*
- Cape's Stores Old Rose and CrownGrade II
- Chantry CottageGrade II
- Churchyard Cross, About 10 Metres North East of Porch, Church of St DubriciusGrade II
- Doverhay Cottage and Wall Fronting RoadGrade II
- Doverhay House and Doverhay LodgeGrade II
- Higher Doverhay FarmhouseGrade II
- Porlock Rectory and Walls Enclosing Garden on North FrontGrade II
- The Gables HotelGrade II
- The Ship InnGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBPorlock Conservation Area AppraisalExmoor National Park’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 Exmoor National Park and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.