About the Grand Union Canal Conservation Area
The Grand Union Canal Conservation Area covers about 117 hectares and was designated by West Northamptonshire Council in 2014. Inside the boundary are 48 listed buildings (1 Grade II*, 47 Grade II). The most significant is Bridge Number 65, Grade II*. 2 Article 4 directions over the area remove further householder rights, on top of the conservation area limits below. 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.
- Article 4 Direction relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HIMO) - Non immediate directionHouseholder works
- Article 4 Direction relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HIMO) - Immediate directionHouseholder 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.
- Bridge Number 65Grade II*
- Barn at Stone Works FarmGrade II
- Blisworth Mill, Including Engine Room and OfficeGrade II
- Bridge Number 27 at Sp 644 590 Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Bridge Number 33Grade II
- Bridge Number 42Grade II
- Bridge Number 43Grade II
- Bridge Number 45Grade II
- Bridge Number 47Grade II
- Bridge Number 5 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Bridge Number 53Grade II
- Canal HouseGrade II
- Cottages Numbers 140 and 141Grade II
- Farm Buildings at Lower Lock FarmGrade II
- Grafton HouseGrade II
- Grand Union Canal Bridge Number 56 at Sp 762 480Grade II
- Grand Union Canal Bridge Number 58 at Sp 763 452Grade II
- Grand Union Canal Bridge Number 63 at Sp 781 445Grade II
- Lock No.8 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 1 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 10 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 11 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 12 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 14 Stoke Top LockGrade II
Show all 48 listed buildings ↓All 48 listed buildings
- Lock Number 15Grade II
- Lock Number 16Grade II
- Lock Number 17Grade II
- Lock Number 18Grade II
- Lock Number 19Grade II
- Lock Number 2 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 20 Stoke Bottom LockGrade II
- Lock Number 3 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 4 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 5 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 6 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 7 on Northampton Arm of Grand Union CanalGrade II
- Lock Number 9Grade II
- Northampton Top Lock CottageGrade II
- Old Wharf Farmhouse and Attached OutbuildingGrade II
- Simons CottageGrade II
- South Portal of Blisworth TunnelGrade II
- Stone Works Farmhouse and Attached OutbuildingGrade II
- The Barley Mow Public HouseGrade II
- The Boat InnGrade II
- The Horse TunnelGrade II
- The Sun, Moon and Stars Public HouseGrade II
- Warehouse Adjoining North of Blisworth MillGrade II
- Waterways MuseumGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBGrand Union Canal Conservation Area AppraisalWest Northamptonshire 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 West Northamptonshire Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.