About the New Mills Conservation Area
The New Mills Conservation Area covers about 40 hectares and was designated by High Peak Borough Council in 1985. Inside the boundary are 16 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 15 Grade II). The most significant is Torr Vale Mill, attached weir, sluice gates, watercourse walls, headrace arches, retaining walls and steps, Grade II*.
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.
- Torr Vale Mill, attached weir, sluice gates, watercourse walls, headrace arches, retaining walls and stepsGrade II*
- 109 and 111, High StreetGrade II
- 117, High StreetGrade II
- 66, High StreetGrade II
- Church of St James the Less and attached AlmshousesGrade II
- Highlee HallGrade II
- K6 Telephone KioskGrade II
- K6 Telephone KioskGrade II
- New Mills Free ChurchGrade II
- Nos 34 and 36 (former Bank Building and Attached Boundary Wall)Grade II
- Stone Wall With Plaque in Car Park to the North of the Mason's Arms Public HouseGrade II
- Storehouse (formerly Carriage House to Highlee Hall)Grade II
- The BridgeGrade II
- The Cruck BarnGrade II
- The George HotelGrade II
- Torr Top CottagesGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBNew Mills Conservation Area AppraisalHigh Peak Borough 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 High Peak Borough Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.