About the Chatham Historic Dockyard Conservation Area
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Conservation Area covers about 31 hectares and was designated by Medway Council in 1998. Inside the boundary are 53 listed buildings (13 Grade I, 31 Grade II*, 9 Grade II). The most significant is Former Commissioner's House and Attached Staff Accommodation, Grade I. 1 Article 4 direction over the area removes further householder rights, on top of the conservation area limits below. 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.
Article 4 directions here
These overlap the conservation area. Householder directions remove more of the rights above; change-of-use ones don’t affect extending a house.
- Chatham Central & BromptonHouseholder works
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.
- Former Commissioner's House and Attached Staff AccommodationGrade I
- Former Lead and Paint MillGrade I
- Former Mast House and Mould LoftGrade I
- Former Officers Terrace and Attached Front Area Walls and OverthrowsGrade I
- Former Storehouse Number 2 and Former Rigging StoreGrade I
- Former Storehouse Number 3 and Former Chain Cable StoreGrade I
- Main Gate and Attached Dockyard Perimeter Wall to South WestGrade I
- Number 3 Slip CoverGrade I
- Number 7 Slip Cover and Machine Shop Number 3Grade I
- Numbers 4 5 and 6 Slip Covers and Machine Shop Number 6Grade I
- Sail LoftGrade I
- The Brunel Saw MillGrade I
- The Ropery and Spinning RoomGrade I
- Chatham Dock Pumping Station SouthGrade II*
- Clock Tower BuildingGrade II*
- Former Admirals Offices and Forecourt Walls and Attached Iron RailingsGrade II*
- Former Assistant Queens Harbourmasters OfficeGrade II*
- Former Captain of the Dockyards House and Attached Front Area RailingsGrade II*
- Former Cashiers OfficeGrade II*
- Former Guard HouseGrade II*
- Former Hatchelling House and Engine RoomGrade II*
- Former Hemp House, Spinning Room and OfficesGrade II*
- Former Police Offices and Attached WallGrade II*
- Former Tarred Yarn HouseGrade II*
Show all 53 listed buildings ↓All 53 listed buildings
- Former Wheelwrights ShopGrade II*
- Front and Perimeter Walls to Raised Gardens to Rear of Former Officers' TerraceGrade II*
- Guard House West and StoreGrade II*
- Joiners ShopGrade II*
- Lower Boat StoreGrade II*
- North Tower House and Attached Perimeter Wall to the SouthGrade II*
- Number 1 SmitheryGrade II*
- Number 1 WorkbaseGrade II*
- Number 2 Dry DockGrade II*
- Number 3 Dry DockGrade II*
- South Tower HouseGrade II*
- Stable, South Range and Attached Wall to SouthGrade II*
- Stables, North Range and Attached Perimeter WallGrade II*
- The Bell MastGrade II*
- The Customs HouseGrade II*
- The Guard House (cafe)Grade II*
- The Royal Dockyard ChurchGrade II*
- Timber Seasoning Store, NorthGrade II*
- Timber Seasoning Store, SouthGrade II*
- Wall Surrounding Garden to Rear of Former Commissioners HouseGrade II*
- Bell MastGrade II
- Figurehead Approximately 50 Metres South of Royal Dockyard ChurchGrade II
- Former Galvanising Shed (visitor Centre)Grade II
- Former House Carpenters Shop and Wall to Front YardGrade II
- Lamp Standards and Railings to Front of Commissioners HouseGrade II
- Number 4 Dry DockGrade II
- Police Section HouseGrade II
- The Cottage and Attached Front Garden WallsGrade II
- The StablesGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from Medway Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.