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Listed buildings can be chosen on the basis of special architectural interest.
This means:
While sometimes certain components of building may be of greater architectural interest than others the over all architectural character and interest of a building derives from the collection of its parts
A listed building can also be selected on special historic interest.
This means association shown with important aspects of the nation's:
Historic interest extends to the fabric of the building and its integrity as an architectural artefact
Listed buildings are classified into 3 grades:
Listing protects the whole of a building's fabric (inside and outside, front and back, including any extensions made to it), fixtures (objects or items physically attached to a building including doors, fireplaces, skirtings) and any pre 1948 building or structure within the curtilage (including statues, outbuildings, boundary walls).
Each listed building has a list description. This is principally to aid identification. While list descriptions will include mention of those features which led a building to be listed, they are not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive record of all the features of importance, and the amount of information given in descriptions varies considerably.
An interactive resource is also available at Heritage Gateway.
Applications for works to a listed building can be rejected when proposals cause unjustified or substantial harm to the fabric, character or special interest of the building. Often expert knowledge is required to fully understand the value of a heritage asset.
To improve the chances of your application being successful you can seek formal Pre-Application advice. Listed building/heritage with Conservation Officer only, or you can request an additional officer at a meeting (including specialists) to accompany a planning officer if you require planning permission as well as listed building consent.
Consent is required for demolition of a listed building and any alterations which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The following is a non-exhaustive list of works that usually require listed building consent unless otherwise agreed by your council:
Approved alterations may be eligible for VAT relief. Contact HM Revenue and Customs for further details.
You must justify alterations to or demolition of a listed building. This should consider the impact of the proposed works on the character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Planning permission or advertisement consent may be required as well as householder planning and listed building consent, and full planning and listed building consent. Where other permissions are needed, these applications should be made at the same time.
If the listed building is also a scheduled ancient monument, only a Scheduled Monument Consent will be needed.
You will need planning permission for works within the curtilage (grounds) of a listed building if the works involve:
This applies to:
If you want to make alterations to a listed building, contact your council for advice. Pre-application advice may be charged.
Sensitive repair work does not normally require listed building consent, however it is necessary to contact us before doing any work so that we can ensure the works qualify as 'repair'.
As a rule of thumb 'repair' involves small scale maintenance works (e.g. replacement of a rotted window sill could be considered repair but replacement of the whole or large part of a window would be considered alteration and need consent).
A method statement and specification of materials used to carry out a repair job may be requested in advance in order to make sure that works are carried out appropriately.
Working with listed buildings requires:
When appointing a contractor or agent (including surveyors, structural engineers and technicians) it is important to make sure that they:
A contractor must complete only the works that the listed building consent has been granted for. Unauthorised alterations or failure to comply with conditions on a grant of listed building consent is an offence.
Building regulations may be applied more sensitively in relation to listed buildings. The impact of applying regulations should be addressed within any application made for listed building consent. It is important to bear in mind that building regulations approval is not the same as listed building consent. Building regulations work which constitutes alteration or addition to of the fabric of a building is likely to require listed building consent.
It is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised demolition, alteration or extension to a listed building where this would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The offence is one of strict liability and those responsible may be prosecuted.
We may also issue an enforcement notice requiring works of rectification. Where a building has been neglected to the point at which its special interest is deemed to be at risk we may issue an urgent works notice and/or a repairs notice requiring remedial and/or protective measures.
When you purchase a property it is important to make sure that all alterations have been authorised. The liability for rectification to unauthorised alterations is passed on to the new owner.
If you are concerned that unauthorised work is being carried out at a listed building contact our Enforcement Officer.
Find out how to get a building listed.
The application should be supported by as much information as possible, including:
See our contact details. It includes our response times and the areas we cover.