Conservation Areas in East Devon District Council
The published Planning Data snapshot contains 32 conservation-area records for this authority.
What is a Conservation Area?
A conservation area is an area designated by the local planning authority under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as having special architectural or historic interest. The aim is to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of these areas for future generations.
Conservation areas can include town centres, historic villages, Victorian suburbs, garden estates, and even industrial heritage sites. They are not just about the buildings themselves — they also include the spaces between buildings, trees, street furniture, and the general character of the area.
Published Conservation Areas in East Devon
These names come from the government's Planning Data service. Open an available record for its official reference, then confirm the boundary and appraisal with the council.
- Axminster1 February 1973
- Beer1 March 1973
- Brampford Speke29 June 1976
- Broadclyst1 November 1973
- Broadhembury1 May 1972
- Budleigh Salterton1 February 1983
- Chardstock1 October 1973
- Colyford1 November 1976
- Colyton1 July 1970
- Combpyne Rousdon (Rousdon Estate)3 March 2000
- Dunkeswell10 July 2012
- East Budleigh1 October 1973
- Exmouth1 March 1973
- Gittisham1 May 1972
- Honiton1 May 1972
- Kilmington2 October 1973
- Lympstone1 September 1973
- Musbury10 February 1994
- Otterton1 October 1973
- Ottery St Mary1 February 1973
- Salcombe Regis25 January 1977
- Seaton20 June 1981
- Sidbury1 November 1970
- Sidford24 September 1981
- Sidmouth Bickwell Valley3 August 1978
- Sidmouth Elysian Fields25 January 1977
- Sidmouth Sid Vale1 November 1970
- Sidmouth Town Centre1 November 1970
- Sowton29 June 1976
- Stockland1 November 1970
- Whimple30 April 1992
- Woodbury4 February 1986
Coverage varies by provider and can change. Absence from this list is not proof that land is outside a conservation area; the council's map and designation documents are authoritative.
How Conservation Areas Affect Your Planning Rights
Living in a conservation area does not mean you cannot make changes to your home — but it does mean that some works which are normally permitted development will require planning permission. The following permitted development rights are removed or restricted in conservation areas:
- !Cladding the exterior of a house with stone, render, timber, plastic or tiles is not permitted development on article 2(3) land.
- !A roof enlargement cannot project beyond the plane of the principal or side roof slope where it fronts a highway.
- !Side extensions and certain two-storey extensions face tighter permitted-development limits.
- !Outbuildings at the side of a house are not permitted development on article 2(3) land.
- !Relevant demolition may require planning permission, and listed buildings have a separate consent regime.
- !You must normally give the council six weeks’ notice before specified work to trees, unless an exception applies.
- !An Article 4 direction can remove additional rights, but only for the development and area stated in the direction.
How to Check if Your Property is in a Conservation Area
- 1
Screen the postcode or UPRN
Use the PlanningScout constraints checker to look for published national conservation-area and other designation records. Treat a postcode as an area search, not an exact boundary.
Open the constraints checker → - 2
Confirm on East Devon's Planning Map
Open East Devon District Council's interactive planning or constraints map and locate the exact property or red-line site boundary.
Open East Devon council website → - 3
Read the designation and appraisal
Open the underlying Planning Data record where available, then find the council appraisal or management plan describing the area’s character and local design guidance.
Open the official dataset → - 4
Check planning history and Article 4
A planning condition or Article 4 direction can remove rights beyond the standard conservation-area restrictions. Read the actual notice and any conditions affecting the property.
Screen published Article 4 records →