About the West Square Conservation Area
The West Square Conservation Area covers about 16 hectares and was designated by London Borough of Southwark in 1971. Inside the boundary are 23 listed buildings, all Grade II. 13 Article 4 directions over the area remove further householder rights, on top of the conservation area limits below. 18 Tree Preservation Order records 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.
Article 4 directions here
These overlap the conservation area. Householder directions remove more of the rights above; change-of-use ones don’t affect extending a house.
- Bankside and Borough District Town CentreHouseholder works
- Elephant and Castle Major Town CentreHouseholder works
- Central Activities ZoneHouseholder works
- Railway ArchesHouseholder works
- Central Activities ZoneHouseholder works
- Site allocation NSP45: Bakerloo Line Sidings and 7 St. George's CircusHouseholder works
- Bankside and Borough District Town CentreHouseholder works
- Elephant and Castle Major Town CentreHouseholder works
- Railway ArchesHouseholder works
- PRINCE OF WALESHouseholder works
- THE ALBERT ARMSHouseholder works
- Central Activities ZoneHouseholder works
- Site allocation NSP45: Bakerloo Line Sidings and 7 St George's CircusHouseholder works
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.
- 63-83, St Georges RoadGrade II
- Albert Terrace and RailingsGrade II
- Archbishop's House and Cathedral HouseGrade II
- Charlotte Sharman School, Block Fronting Geraldine StreetGrade II
- Colnbrook Street SchoolsGrade II
- East Lodge, SouthwarkGrade II
- Former Church of St JudeGrade II
- Imperial War MuseumGrade II
- K2 Telephone Kiosk at Junction With St Georges RoadGrade II
- Laurie Terrace and RailingsGrade II
- Lodge to Imperial War MuseumGrade II
- Number 1 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 13-35 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 15-31 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 2-18 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 20-24 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 25-28 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 29-45 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 3-11 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 3, 5 and 7 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Numbers 6-19 and Attached RailingsGrade II
- Roman Catholic Cathedral of St GeorgeGrade II
- The Elizabeth Baxter Hostel and Attached RailingsGrade II
Streets in the conservation area
Streets with listed buildings inside the boundary. Boundaries often split a street — check your exact address.
The council’s appraisal
WEBWest Square Conservation Area AppraisalLondon Borough of Southwark’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 London Borough of Southwark and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.