About the Benham Park Conservation Area
The Benham Park Conservation Area covers about 88 hectares and was designated by West Berkshire Council in 1982. Inside the boundary are 7 listed buildings (1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 5 Grade II). The most significant is Gate Piers and Gates at Benham Park, West Lodge, 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.
- Gate Piers and Gates at Benham Park, West LodgeGrade I
- Benham ParkGrade II*
- East LodgeGrade II
- Gate Piers and Gates at Benham Park, East LodgeGrade II
- Manor HouseGrade II
- Small Lodge approximately 20 metres north west of Benham Park, East LodgeGrade II
- West LodgeGrade II
Nearby conservation areas
Boundary and listed buildings from West Berkshire Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.