About the Swindon’s Railway Conservation Area
The Swindon’s Railway Conservation Area covers about 20 hectares and was designated by Swindon Borough Council in 1987. Inside the boundary are 11 listed buildings (3 Grade II*, 8 Grade II). The most significant is British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 13 Shop (old L2 Shop), Grade II*.
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.
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 13 Shop (old L2 Shop)Grade II*
- British Rail Engineering Limited: Swindon Works, No 12 Shop (v Shop), O and E Shop (32, 33 and 35 Shops)Grade II*
- Chain Test HouseGrade II*
- Brick Boundary Wall to Former Gwr Works (north)Grade II
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works Locomotive Works Manager's OfficeGrade II
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works Main Office Block, Gwr WorksGrade II
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 15 Shop (q Shop) and Western Bay of Brass Stores (formerly K Shop)Grade II
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 19 Shop, And No 20 Shop (north Bay) Old N ShopGrade II
- British Rail Engineering Limited Swindon Works No 20 Shop (old R Shop)Grade II
- Number 9 ShopGrade II
- Office Building to North of General OfficesGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from Swindon Borough Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.