North Essex Villages
This section contains information on the Conservation Areas within the district's northern villages, including Ashen, the Belchamps, Birdbrook, Finchingfield, Foxearth, Great Bardfield, Great Saling, Great Yeldham, Helions Bumpstead, Ridgewell, Steeple Bumpstead, Toppesfield and Wethersfield. Explore each area's special character, designation details and the latest Conservation Area maps.
The Conservation Area for Ashen was designated on 9 November 1989. The conservation area includes the listed buildings around the church and extends along The Street to include the buildings in the north of the village and the linear pond known as The Waver. The Belchamp Otten Conservation Area was designated on 3 December 1984. The conservation area includes the group of farm buildings at Cole Farm, which date back to the 1880s, and the high wall opposite the Rectory. Other features include the wooded areas at the Rectory, at the Church and opposite Wayside Cottage. These areas help distinguish the village from the surrounding arable landscape. In addition, the grouping is enhanced by the canopy of trees across Otten Road, a feature which is rarely seen in a village centre. The Belchamp St Paul Conservation Area was designated on 20 May 1969. On 11 October 1979, an amendment was made for: The Conservation Area for Belchamp Walter was designated on 17 July 1980. The Conservation Area for Birdbrook was designated on 30 January 1970. The Finchingfield Conservation Area was designated on 2 October 1969. On the 9 June 2009 an amendment was made to; The following areas were removed from the Conservation Area: The Foxearth Conservation Area was designated on 27 May 1976. On the 9 November 1989 an amendment was made to: The Great Bardfield Conservation Area was designated on 2 October 1969. The Great Saling Conservation Area was designated on 26 January 1989. The centre of Great Saling contains groups of buildings of architectural and historic interest, including 19 No. listed buildings dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It also has an attractive village setting, including a large number of mature trees. There are also two parks and gardens within the village (Saling Hall and Saling Grove) which are considered sufficiently important to be included in the National Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The northern portion of the Conservation Area contains a group of Listed Buildings, including the 17th Century Saling Hall, Listed Grade II*, the 18th Century Hall Farmhouse, cartlodge and timber-framed barn, and the Parish Church of St James, also Listed Grade II*. The importance of the trees in the grounds of the Vicarage is recognised through the designation of a Tree Preservation Order. Saling Hall Gardens, as mentioned, are included in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. These cover 5 hectares and are partly of late 17th century origin. They have been extensively replanted in the 20th century. Features include the walled garden dating from 1698, topiary yew hedges and rose and water gardens. A further group of historic buildings is centred around the junction in the village centre. This includes 17th century cottages, the White Hart Public House and Three Pins an early 16th Century house. Saling Grove is an 18th Century listed building, with associated lodges, stables, walls and outbuildings of historic and architectural importance. The late 18th century garden is also included in the Register of Parks and Gardens. It is of particular historic importance in that it was originally designed by Humphry Repton. Its features include a pool, belts of trees and walled kitchen garden. The trees at Saling Grove are protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The Great Yeldham Conservation Area was designated on 17 October 1985. The Conservation Area for Helions Bumpstead was designated on 23 October 1990. The Conservation Area for Ridgewell was designated on 7 November 1973. On the 10 March 1988, an amendment was made to extend the conservation area, this included; On 9 November 1989, an amendment was made to extend the conservation area, this included; The Steeple Bumpstead Conservation Area was designated on 7 August 1969. On the 17 October 1985, an amendment was made for; The Conservation Area for Toppesfield was designated on the 9 November 1989. The conservation area is based around the T-Junction and pump in the centre of the village and extends eastwards to include the Church and its grounds. The Wethersfield Conservation Area was designated on 2 November 1973.
Ashen Conservation Area
Belchamp Otten Conservation Area
Belchamp St Paul Conservation Area
Belchamp Walter Conservation Area
Birdbrook Conservation Area
Finchingfield Conservation Area
Foxearth Conservation Area
Great Bardfield Conservation Area
Great Saling Conservation Area
Great Yeldham Conservation Area
Helions Bumpstead Conservation Area
Ridgewell Conservation Area
Steeple Bumpstead Conservation Area
Toppesfield Conservation Area
Wethersfield Conservation Area
Use our A-Z directory to find information on each designated Conservation Area across the district. Search by village or settlement name to view a summary of the area's special character, designation details, and the latest Conservation Area maps.Looking for information on a specific Conservation Area?