About the Downham Conservation Area
The Downham Conservation Area covers about 26 hectares and was designated by Ribble Valley Borough Council in 1978. Inside the boundary are 32 listed buildings (3 Grade II*, 29 Grade II). The most significant is Church of St Leonard, 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 LeonardGrade II*
- Downham HallGrade II*
- Old Well HallGrade II*
- 45 Main StreetGrade II
- Assheton ArmsGrade II
- Back O' T'thornGrade II
- Barn Approximately 15 Metres North of Fir Tree HouseGrade II
- Barn to Home Farm, North West of Downham Hall, And Stable in Same Range to EastGrade II
- Briar CottageGrade II
- Bridge Approximately 15 Metres South West of Fir Tree HouseGrade II
- Building on East Side of Yard at Home Farm, North West of Downham HallGrade II
- Chapel BrowGrade II
- Chapel BrowGrade II
- Door and Surround in Garden Wall, Downham Hall, Approximately 10 Metres South West of Church TowerGrade II
- Downham Church of England SchoolGrade II
- Fir Tree HouseGrade II
- GreengatesGrade II
- Lower Hall CottagesGrade II
- Lower Hall CottagesGrade II
- Pair of Gate Piers in Garden East of Downham HallGrade II
- Pair of Gatepiers in Downham Hall Garden, Approximately 60 Metres North West of SchoolGrade II
- Pendlehurst the CottageGrade II
- Post Office and House Adjoining to EastGrade II
- Stables and Coach House, North East of Downham HallGrade II
Show all 32 listed buildings ↓All 32 listed buildings
- StocksGrade II
- Sundial in Churchyard Approximately 8 Metres South of Chancel, Church of St LeonardGrade II
- The Lidgett HouseGrade II
- The White HouseGrade II
- Top RowGrade II
- Top RowGrade II
- Top RowGrade II
- Village HallGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBDownham Conservation Area AppraisalRibble Valley Borough 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 Ribble Valley Borough Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.