About the Babraham Conservation Area
The Babraham Conservation Area covers about 18 hectares and was designated by South Cambridgeshire District Council in 1979. Inside the boundary are 11 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 9 Grade II). The most significant is Parish Church of St Peter South West of Babraham Hall, 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.
- Parish Church of St Peter South West of Babraham HallGrade I
- The Almshouses the School HouseGrade II*
- 39 and 41, High StreetGrade II
- Babraham Hall the Institute of Animal PhysiologyGrade II
- Barn and Granary to West of the George Public HouseGrade II
- Brick RowGrade II
- Chalk FarmhouseGrade II
- Home FarmhouseGrade II
- Statue of Jonas Webb Opposite Chalk FarmhouseGrade II
- The George Public HouseGrade II
- The Old Post OfficeGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBBabraham Conservation Area AppraisalSouth Cambridgeshire District 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 South Cambridgeshire District Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.