About the Lower Benefield Conservation Area
The Lower Benefield Conservation Area covers about 17 hectares and was designated by North Northamptonshire Council in 1977. Inside the boundary are 16 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 15 Grade II). The most significant is Church of St. Mary, 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. MaryGrade II*
- 11, Lower BenefieldGrade II
- 14 and 15, Lower BenefieldGrade II
- 25 and 26, Lower BenefieldGrade II
- 9, Lower BenefieldGrade II
- Banhaw FarmhouseGrade II
- Benefield Post OfficeGrade II
- Berkeley HouseGrade II
- Brook FarmhouseGrade II
- Church of St Mary, Chest Tomb 1 Metre South West of South AisleGrade II
- K6 Telephone Kiosk Immediately South West of Number 14Grade II
- Manor FarmhouseGrade II
- Number 10 Messuage Farmhouse and Attached OutbuildingGrade II
- OutbuildingGrade II
- Rectory Farmhouse and Attached FarmbuildingsGrade II
- War MemorialGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from North Northamptonshire Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.