About the Lower Rainham Conservation Area
The Lower Rainham Conservation Area covers about 3.0 hectares and was designated by Medway Council in 1989. Inside the boundary are 6 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 5 Grade II). The most significant is Bloors Place, Grade II*. 1 Tree Preservation Order record overlap the area; every other tree here still needs six weeks’ notice before work.
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.
- Bloors PlaceGrade II*
- 497, 499, And 501, Lower Rainham RoadGrade II
- Chapel HouseGrade II
- Garden Walls to South and East of Bloors PlaceGrade II
- Range of Outbuildings Including Cart Lodge and Granary West of Bloors PlaceGrade II
- The Old HouseGrade 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.