When buildings are listed they are placed on statutory lists of buildings of 'special architectural or historic interest'. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for compiling the lists. And English Heritage provides expert advice on which buildings meet the criteria for listing, and for administering the process.
Not all the listed items are what we might naturally think of as attractive. Some are included purely for their historical value. Some are not even what we would usually consider to be buildings. Such as bridges, milestones and sundials.
Why are buildings listed?
Buildings are judged according to a set of standards. The main criteria used to select listed buildings are:
Architectural interest
All buildings which are nationally important for the interest of their:
- architectural design
- decoration
- craftsmanship
Also important examples of particular building types and techniques, and significant plan forms.
Historic interest
This includes buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history.
Close historical association
These are buildings with close historical association with nationally important buildings or events.
Group value
Especially where buildings comprise an important architectural or historic unity or are a fine example of planning such as:
- squares
- terraces
- model villages
The older and rarer a building is, the more likely it is to be listed. All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed. As are most built between 1700 and 1840. After that date, the criteria become tighter with time. This is because of the increased number of buildings erected and the much larger numbers which have survived. So post-1945 buildings have to be exceptionally important to be listed. Buildings less than 30 years old are rarely listed. Listing occurs only if they are of outstanding quality and under threat.
The buildings are classified in grades to show their relative importance as follows.
- Grade I - These are buildings of exceptional interest (only about 2 per cent of listed buildings are in this grade).
- Grade II* - These are particularly important buildings of more than special interest (some four per cent of listed buildings).
- Grade II - These are buildings of special interest. Warranting every effort to preserve them.
What does 'listing' mean?
You will need the council's consent to demolish a listed building. Or for any alteration or extension which would affect its character. You may also need consent for any works to separate buildings within the grounds of a listed buildings.
The need for listed building consent is different from planning permission but the process is very similar.
It's a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without consent - even if you did not know the building was listed. Carrying out unauthorised work is punishable by a fine or a prison sentence. And the council can ask you to put the building back the way it was. It is important to consult the Development control team before starting any work.
All listed buildings are listed in their entirety, both inside and out; there is no such thing as just a listed facade or interior. All internal and external works which affect the character of the building therefore requires listed building consent. Other works requiring consent include:
- re-roofing
- new doors and windows
- re-pointing (where the character of the building is affected)
- most stone cleaning
- removal of chimneys
- removal of fireplaces and internal features
How do I apply for listed building consent?
You must submit an application to the council but this is free of charge. The application forms and notes for guidance can be found on the planning application forms and guidance note page.
Generally, alterations should be sympathetic to the character of the listed building, using natural materials and traditional construction methods. The use of PVCu and other man made materials is generally unacceptable. There is also a presumption against the demolition of listed buildings.
More information
To find out what the council's planning policy on listed buildings is, please see the document below.
Advice and information can also be found on the Historic Environment Local Management website.
And the Institute of Historic Building Conservation website.
Guidance is also included in the Government’s Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 - Planning and the Historic Environment.
Please note: The documents on this page are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need a suitable reader to view them. A reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the site).