About the West Thirston Conservation Area
The West Thirston Conservation Area covers about 9.3 hectares and was designated by Northumberland County Council in 1987. Inside the boundary are 13 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 12 Grade II). The most significant is Old Felton Bridge Over River Coquet, Grade II*. 1 Tree Preservation Order record overlap the area; every other tree here still needs six weeks’ notice before work. 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.
- Old Felton Bridge Over River CoquetGrade II*
- 1 and 2, Bell ViewGrade II
- Castle FarmhouseGrade II
- Coach House to East of Northumberland ArmsGrade II
- Garden Walls to East of Thirston HouseGrade II
- Gate Piers Gate and Screen Wall at Entrance to Thirston HouseGrade II
- Milepost Opposite Peth FootGrade II
- New Felton Bridge - Bridge Number B6345/05aGrade II
- Peth FootGrade II
- Sundial 10 Metres West of Thirston HouseGrade II
- The Northumberland Arms and Adjoining StablesGrade II
- The Old Manse and Adjacent HouseGrade II
- Thirston House With Attached Outbuildings and Courtyard WallGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBWest Thirston Conservation Area AppraisalNorthumberland County 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 Northumberland County Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.