About the Birstall Conservation Area
The Birstall Conservation Area covers about 24 hectares and was designated by Kirklees Council in 1998. Inside the boundary are 12 listed buildings (3 Grade II*, 9 Grade II). The most significant is Church of St Peter, Grade II*. 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 PeterGrade II*
- Highfield Farmhouse and CottageGrade II*
- Old HallGrade II*
- Black Bull Public HouseGrade II
- Church of St John (methodist)Grade II
- Former National SchoolGrade II
- John Nelson's Study in Burial Ground of Methodist ChapelGrade II
- Joseph Priestley StatueGrade II
- New HallGrade II
- Sundial to South of John Nelson's Study in Burial Ground of Methodist ChapelGrade II
- Tomb of Ellen Nussey 20 Metres North West of Birstall Parish ChurchGrade II
- Tomb of John Nelson in Yard of Church of St PeterGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBBirstall Conservation Area AppraisalKirklees 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 Kirklees Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.