Listed Building Consent – Planning For Listed Buildings

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Listed building consent in the UK can be difficult to obtain and fraught with issues.
Obtaining listed building consent can be tricky and full of special conditions. These conditions are in place to preserve the architectural or historic interest of the building. Photo © David Anstiss (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Obtaining Listed Buildings Consent

What Is A Listed Building?

Listed buildings in the UK fall into three categories:

  • Grade 1 Listed Buildings make up only 2.5% of the total and these are buildings of ‘exceptional interest’ with special architectural or historic significance.
  • 5.8% of listed buildings are categorised as Grade 2* (grade two star) and these buildings are of ‘more than special interest’.
  • The remaining 91.7% are Grade 2 listed and are buildings of ‘special interest’.

If you are buying an older property and it has a listed status you will need Listed Building Consent before you can carry out any demolition, extension or alteration to the structure.

If you do buy a listed building, it is a good idea to have an initial chat with your local planning department before you submit any building plans for approval.

Photo of a Grade 2 listed building in England
If you buy a listed building, even at a property auction, you must speak to your planning department before beginning any work. Photo © David Anstiss (cc-by-sa/2.0)

What Type Of Buildings Are Listed?

Although many listed buildings are large National Trust and heritage properties there are plenty of examples of small and seemingly insignificant properties that may have listed status.

These include terraced houses, unusual buildings like windmills, watermills and small cottages. In general any building that was constructed before 1700 and is still standing will have listed status as will any property built between 1700 and 1850.

It is important to preserve the historic features of listed buildings, including internal and external alterations, to maintain their architectural and historical significance.

A property constructed less than 30 years ago will not be listed simply because it has not stood for long enough. All listed buildings are on the NHLE (National Heritage List for England) and anyone can ask for a building to be listed and added to this register.

You should also be aware of listed status when looking at other types of properties, such as derelict property for sale and even abandoned houses for sale. In both of these cases, despite being a run-down or neglected property, you should make the necessary checks for any listed building status.

Photo of a grade II listed cottage in England
If you are in any doubt, find out if you need listed building consent before beginning any work to your home. Photo © David Anstiss (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Does Listed Status Apply To The Whole Building?

Listed status covers the whole of a building unless otherwise stated. This includes any extensions or additions and all fixtures.

Each building is unique so check with your local planning authority before making a proposal for any changes to the structure.

External alterations such as rendering, cladding, or painting any part of a building also require listed building consent.

The Laws Around Listed Buildings

Listed buildings are subject to special controls. If you carry out unauthorised works on a listed property without obtaining listed building consent, it is considered a criminal offence and you could receive a fine of up to £20,000 or even spend time in prison. Additionally, you may be issued a listed building enforcement notice, which can complicate future property sales or financing. However, not all works require consent.

If you are changing the character of the building, demolishing some or all of it, adding an extension or making a large alteration you will need listed building consent.

Making changes to a listed building and claiming you did not know the property was listed is not a defence under the law.

Grade 2 listed house in England.
An example of a listed building in England. Not all listed buildings are fancy Tudor homes or stone gatehouses. Photo © Tim Heaton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Unauthorised Works On A Listed Building

Under the Planning Act of 1990 any unauthorised work carried out on a listed building must be made good at the owner’s expense. Examples of unauthorised works include the following:

  • Removing internal doors
  • Making new openings or removing walls
  • Installing roof windows
  • Painting the exterior a different colour
  • Installing new windows that are inappropriate e.g. PVC
  • Changing staircases

Failure to obtain the necessary consent for these works can result in the issuance of a listed building enforcement notice, which carries significant legal and financial consequences.

Buying A Listed Building

Buying a property that is listed can cause problems so a survey and thorough searches are needed to ensure that no unauthorised work has already been carried out. If this proves to be the case you will be liable as the new owner to carry out remedial work at your own expense. Building regulations may also need to be addressed when buying a listed building.

There are no specific local authority grants available for maintaining or repairing a listed building. A grant may be available from English Heritage depending on the type of work.

Photo of some grade 2 listed terraced stone houses
Not all listed buildings are Tudor homes or medieval cottages. These terraced houses are Grade 2 listed. Photo © Peter Barr (cc-by-sa/2.0)

How Can I Find Out If My Building Is Listed?

Using a postcode or keyword you can search the National Heritage List for England. If you are in Scotland you can search the Historic Environment Scotland listed building database.

The results will show if your property is listed and what it has been graded. If you cannot find your property on the register but are still unsure you can contact your local authority or the help desk at the NHLE.

If your building is registered as listed it does not necessarily mean you cannot make any changes at all. You will need to ask for listed building consent before starting any work unless the work is the very minimum required to make the building safe. It is also important to consider if your property is within conservation areas, as this may require additional permissions under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Photo of a small cottage which obtained listed building consent
Not all building work requires listed building consent before it can begin, but you should definitely check with your local planning officers first. Photo © Peter Barr (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Where To Apply For Listed Building Consent Through The Local Planning Authority

The first step to obtaining listed building consent is to consult your local planning authority to confirm whether or not listed building consent applications are required.

In order to do this you will need to have a plan in place of the property renovation work you want to carry out. The officer will be able to help you to understand whether your plan is acceptable or needs to be altered before you apply for consent. There is a statutory 21-day consultation period for interested parties to provide comments on the proposal before a decision is made.

Priority is given to preserving the structure and the special features that give a property listed status.

How Long Does It Take To Get Listed Building Consent?

Once an application to make changes to a listed building is received it will be considered by the local planning authority. The listed building consent can take up to eight weeks to be approved for Grade II listed buildings. Listed building consent may be granted subject to conditions.

However, if work is urgently required to make the building safe you can discuss this sooner with the planning department. For a property that is graded I or II* the consent can take longer.

House with listed buildings consent
When it comes to listed buildings, you need permission to alter the inside as well as the outside. Photo © Richard Hoare (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Can I Build An Extension On A Listed Building?

An extension to a listed building may be approved under certain conditions. When assessing planning consent, the authority will want to see that the extension is designed so that it does not change the special architectural or historic interest of the property.

To this end, most extensions that receive listed consent will be modest and will use specific materials that do not detract from the original character of the building.

Do Internal Renovations Need Listed Building Consent?

Listed building consent is different to planning permission. Most internal alterations do not require planning permission but internal changes to listed buildings will need formal approval.

You cannot remove historic fireplaces, decorative plaster mouldings and panels, or staircases. These features often help to create the listed status and therefore you need approval to make any changes.

Applicants may need to provide details about the historic features of the building, including information about internal and external alterations, as well as the preservation of key architectural and historic features that justify the building’s designation as a listed building.

What Are The Conditions Of Listed Building Consent?

There are a list of principles that are applied to any listed consent application. If the conditions are not met the consent to alter a listed building is unlikely to be granted. Additionally, there is a statutory 21-day consultation period during which interested parties, such as neighbours and other stakeholders, can provide comments on the proposal before a decision is made.

A few of the common conditions attached to the consent are listed below:

  • Preservation of certain features
  • Use original materials
  • Detailed plans
  • Time period of 3 years after the consent is granted
  • Access to the site to ensure compliance

The full list of conditions attached to the listed buildings consent will be set out by the local planning authority in your own area of the UK.

Always check before beginning any work, internal or external, to a building which may be listed.

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