A to Z Listed Buildings 
Take a look at our A to Z of Listed Buildings or alternatively free phone 0800 298 5424 to speak to our friendly Listed Building Surveyors who are happy to help with your property queries.
The building must be important due to its architectural design, decoration or craftsmanship to be of special architectural interest. With nationally important examples of specific building types and techniques and significant plan forms these may also apply as being of special interest.
A Building Preservation Notice (BPN) may be served by the local planning authority on the owner or occupier of a building that is not listed but which they consider is of special architectural or historic interest and is in danger or demolition or of alteration in such a way to affect its character as a building of such interest.
Generally, any pre-1948 structure that formed part of the land and was in the curtilage of the principal listed building at the date of listing (or feasibly 1 January 1969 for buildings listed before that date – this is not a settled point of law) and is ancillary to the principal building is considered to be part of the listing.
A list description is a report which identifies a building by giving a history of the structure and a description of the historical features and character of the building.
English Heritage or their official title the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England are the Government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment.
The English Heritage Listed Buildings Online website contains details of all listed buildings in the country.
Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally import.
Grade II* buildings are particularly important of more than special interest.
Grade II buildings are nationally important and of special interest.
A Heritage Partnership Agreement is a non-statutory agreement which sets out an understanding of the significance of the heritage asset or assets and in particular what is not of special interest in listed buildings. Once the agreement is in place, it can reduce the number of occasions when listed building consent is required and thereby save the owner and local authority time and money.
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is the principal professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment specialists working in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with connections to the Republic of Ireland.
The whole building is listed and that includes the inside as well as the outside and also any object or structure fixed to the building. The area of land around a listed building within the boundaries is called the ‘curtilage’ and any pre 1st July 1948 building or structure within this area is also deemed to be listed as are the boundary walls, railings, gates and possibly garden features.
Yes, some red Telephone Kiosks are Listed buildings the first a K3 kiosk outside London Zoo’s parrot house.
Listed building means a building which is for the time being included in a list compiled or approved by the Secretary of State under this section; and for the purposes of this Act –
(a) any object or structure fixed to the building;
(b) any object or structure within the curtilage of the building which, although not fixed to the building, forms part of the land and has done so since before 1st July 1948,
shall be treated as part of the building.
The Ancient Monuments Society was established in 1924 for the study and conservation of ancient monuments, historic buildings and fine old craftsmanship.
Listed building consent is required for all works of demolition, alteration or extension to a listed building that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
Owners of listed buildings are, in some circumstances, compelled to repair and maintain them and can face criminal prosecution if they fail to do so or if they perform unauthorised alterations. When alterations are permitted, or when listed buildings are repaired or maintained, the owners are often compelled to use specific materials or techniques.
Planning permission is needed in addition to listed building, conservation area or scheduled monument consent for new buildings, works that affect the external appearance of the property and for material changes of use.
All our Listed Building Surveyors are specialists and are happy to answer your listed building questions. Free phone us on 0800 298 5424 if you have any queries related to a specific listed building that you own or wish to buy.
Removal of a building from the List if it is no longer considered to hold special architectural or historic interest may be decided by The Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport .
This may occur following a fire, for example, or perhaps on the discovery of new evidence that demonstrates the original listing decision can no longer be supported. Application is made to English Heritage.
Founded by William Morris, Philip Webb and others in 1877 the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is an organisation that gives advice, publishes books and runs training courses and events for those interested in old buildings.
Individual trees or groups of trees within or outside of a conservation area may be offered protection by a tree preservation order issued by a local planning authority where it is expedient to do so in the interest of amenity.
An Urgent Works Notice may be served where works are urgently necessary for the preservation of a listed building. An Urgent Works Notice should generally be restricted to urgent repairs to keep a building wind and weather-proof and safe from collapse, or action to prevent vandalism or theft.
VAT used to be zero rated on the cost of approved alterations to listed buildings. From 1st October 2012 VAT at the standard rate became applicable to all materials and services supplied in the course of approved alterations to listed buildings or scheduled monuments. For latest information always consult HM Revenue & Customs.
Traditionally a large proportion of Listed buildings are constructed with solid masonry walls, some our timber framed construction and others hollow all are not good insulators and can be considered for suitable insulation to increase energy efficiency in an appropriate method for the Listed building.
Some actions you should not take with Listed Buildings are:-
X Paint or render stonework
X Demolish boundary walls and gates
X Re-point using strap or ribbon pointing or use hard cement mortar mix
Yes as far as possible with a Listed Building you should
Match existing materials like for like
Avoid modern materials and components which look out of place and may harm the fabric of the building
Keep original features such as doors, windows…
Listed buildings come in all shapes and sizes with large 20 plus bedroom manor houses to small 2 bedroom quaint cottages.