About the Rochdale Town Centre Conservation Area
The Rochdale Town Centre Conservation Area covers about 23 hectares and was designated by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council in 2011. Inside the boundary are 28 listed buildings (2 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 25 Grade II). The most significant is Rochdale Cenotaph, Grade I. 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.
- Rochdale CenotaphGrade I
- Town HallGrade I
- Church of Saint ChadGrade II*
- 10, 12, 14 and 16, Baillie StreetGrade II
- 17 Milnrow RoadGrade II
- 17, Yorkshire StreetGrade II
- 17A and 19 Baillie StreetGrade II
- 24 Baron StreetGrade II
- 5, Baillie StreetGrade II
- Former Blue Bell InnGrade II
- Former Post Office, corner of Packer Street and Fleece StreetGrade II
- Former Union Bank of Manchester, 5 South ParadeGrade II
- Institute for the Deaf, 23 Church Lane, RochdaleGrade II
- Lamp posts at each corner of War MemorialGrade II
- Market CrossGrade II
- Newbold Buildings, 33-37 Oldham RoadGrade II
- Rochdale Bridge, at the junction of The Esplanade, Yorkshire Street, The Butts, South Parade, RochdaleGrade II
- Rochdale Central Library, Museum and Art GalleryGrade II
- Rochdale Museum, The Old VicarageGrade II
- Statue of John BrightGrade II
- Stocks to South of Church of Saint ChadGrade II
- Sun Dial to South of Church of Saint ChadGrade II
- The Former Oldham Joint Stock Bank, now HSBCGrade II
- The former Royds BankGrade II
Show all 28 listed buildings ↓All 28 listed buildings
- The Old Post OfficeGrade II
- Wall to North West of Church of Saint ChadGrade II
- Waterside HouseGrade II
- Wellington HotelGrade II
Streets in the conservation area
Streets with listed buildings inside the boundary. Boundaries often split a street — check your exact address.
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.