About the West Stow and Culford Park Conservation Area
The West Stow and Culford Park Conservation Area covers about 320 hectares and was designated by West Suffolk Council in 1975. Inside the boundary are 17 listed buildings (2 Grade I, 3 Grade II*, 12 Grade II). The most significant is The Iron Bridge at Culford School, 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.
- The Iron Bridge at Culford SchoolGrade I
- West Stow HallGrade I
- Church of St MaryGrade II*
- Culford HallGrade II*
- Home FarmGrade II*
- 1 and 2 Church CottagesGrade II
- 6 and The Cottage Ingham RoadGrade II
- Church of St MaryGrade II
- Culford Estate War MemorialGrade II
- Garden Gates and Gate Piers to South of Culford HallGrade II
- Garden walls and gate piers to West Stow HallGrade II
- Gates to Culford HallGrade II
- Park GatesGrade II
- Piers, Gates and Balustrade to West of Culford HallGrade II
- Rede LodgeGrade II
- Sunnyside and Thatched CottageGrade II
- Terrace Walls and Steps to Garden Front of Culford HallGrade II
The council’s appraisal
WEBWest Stow and Culford Park Conservation Area AppraisalWest Suffolk 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 Suffolk Council and Historic England via planning.data.gov.uk (OGL). Guidance only — not an official council check.