Conservation Areas in Northumberland County Council
The published Planning Data snapshot contains 70 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 Northumberland
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.
- Alnmouth10 October 1972
- Alnwick18 February 1972
- Amble11 September 2007
- Bamburgh10 October 1972
- Bedlington23 July 1971
- Belford19 February 1987
- Belsay1 October 1987
- Blyth Bondicar Terrace29 July 1979
- Blyth Central29 July 1979
- Blyth Heritage29 July 1979
- Bothal1 August 1986
- Cambo13 June 1975
- Capheaton1 October 1987
- Chatton25 April 1991
- Corbridge20 March 1974
- Cramlington Village4 November 1975
- Eglingham24 June 1976
- Embleton12 June 2007
- Felton22 October 1985
- Glanton8 March 1984
- Great Whittington4 September 1992
- Guyzance11 September 2007
- High Callerton1 October 1987
- Holy Island23 November 1972
- Holywell1 November 1977
- Kirknewton25 July 1996
- Lesbury3 October 1991
- Longhirst5 January 1981
- Longhorsley1 October 1987
- Matfen22 August 1973
- Middleton1 October 1987
- Netherwitton5 December 1985
- Newbiggin-by-the-Sea6 March 1986
- Newton on the Moor22 October 1985
- Norham26 April 1984
- North Sunderland28 July 2005
- Ovington30 April 1991
- Ponteland22 August 1973
- Rock12 June 2007
- Rothbury10 October 1972
- Seahouses28 July 2005
- Seaton Delaval22 May 1990
- Stamfordham7 November 1975
- Wall30 April 1991
- Warkworth10 October 1972
- West Thirston1 October 1987
- Whalton22 August 1973
- Whittingham24 June 1976
- Whitton12 June 2007
- Wooler20 December 2005
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 Northumberland's Planning Map
Open Northumberland County Council's interactive planning or constraints map and locate the exact property or red-line site boundary.
Open Northumberland 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 →