Conservation Areas in Guildford Borough Council
The published Planning Data snapshot contains 41 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 Guildford
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.
- AbbotswoodDate not published
- Abinger Hammer26 March 1974
- Albury8 February 1989
- Basingstoke Canal North12 October 1985
- Basingstoke Canal South12 October 1985
- Bisley Camp6 August 1991
- Bridge Street6 February 2003
- Charlotteville23 January 1990
- Chilworth Gunpowder Mills17 July 2008
- Compton27 April 1971
- Eashing27 April 1971
- East Clandon31 July 1973
- East Horsley31 July 1973
- Effingham23 October 1971
- Guildford Town Centre28 October 1969
- Holmbury St Mary1 May 1990
- Holmbury St Mary23 January 1990
- Littleton18 December 1973
- Millmead and Portsmouth Road, Guildford3 May 1989
- Ockham28 July 1981
- Ockham Mill5 October 1993
- Onslow Village7 February 1990
- Peaslake23 January 1990
- Pirbright18 December 1973
- Puttenham27 April 1971
- Ripley27 April 1971
- Seale18 December 1973
- Shackleford27 April 1971
- Shalford21 July 1973
- Shere31 July 1973
- St Catherines Guildford Town Centre28 October 1969
- Stokefields14 June 1989
- Stoughton Barracks27 August 1973
- Wanborough18 December 1973
- Waterden Road18 April 1989
- West Clandon31 July 1973
- West Horsley31 July 1973
- Wey and Godalming Navigations1 January 2002
- Wisley3 May 1989
- Wood Street18 December 1973
- Worplesdon18 December 1973
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 Guildford's Planning Map
Open Guildford Borough Council's interactive planning or constraints map and locate the exact property or red-line site boundary.
Open Guildford 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 →