Conservation Areas in Somerset Council
The published Planning Data snapshot contains 178 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 Somerset
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.
- Barrington21 January 1986
- Batcombe1 January 1978
- Beckington1 January 1973
- Buckland Dinham1 January 1989
- Buckland St Mary29 June 1989
- Butleigh1 January 1994
- Chewton Mendip1 January 1988
- Coat27 July 1978
- Combe St Nicholas2 July 1981
- Compton Pauncefoot29 June 1978
- Corton Denham28 August 1975
- Cricket Malherbie29 June 1989
- Croscombe1 January 1977
- Donyatt21 January 1986
- Doulting1 January 1992
- Dowlish Wake21 January 1986
- East Coker28 August 1975
- East Lambrook25 October 1990
- East Pennard1 January 1993
- East Stoke14 April 1987
- Evercreech1 January 1992
- Hadspen27 June 1991
- Henstridge12 April 1988
- High Ham25 October 1990
- Higher Wambrook2 July 1981
- Hinton St George28 August 1975
- Holton12 April 1988
- Horsington12 April 1988
- Kilmersdon1 January 1985
- Kingsbury Episcopi25 October 1990
- Kingweston15 March 1990
- Knole20 December 1976
- Litton1 January 1987
- Long Sutton20 December 1976
- Lullington and Orchardleigh1 January 1998
- Maperton28 August 1975
- Marston Magna14 April 1987
- Mells1 January 1970
- Mendip Hospital1 January 1991
- Middle Chinnock20 December 1976
- Milborne Wick12 April 1988
- Misterton28 August 1975
- Montacute11 December 1970
- Norton St Philip1 January 1969
- Nunney1 January 1973
- Oakhill1 January 1991
- Pilton1 January 1977
- Shepton Mallet1 January 1973
- Street1 January 1984
- Westbury sub Mendip1 January 1991
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 Somerset's Planning Map
Open Somerset Council's interactive planning or constraints map and locate the exact property or red-line site boundary.
Open Somerset 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 →