Listed Buildings

The listing of buildings or a structure of special architectural, historical or cultural interest started in 1947 under the Town and Planning Act. There are around 500,000 listed buildings in the United Kingdom . Listed buildings are put on a list of buildings gathered together by the Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport, who takes recommendations from English Heritage.

Restrictions – Approval for Work on a Listed Building

Any building that is listed cannot be extended, pulled down or changed in any way unless authority is obtained from the local planning authority, who then make a decision after consulting with other bodies. That said, it does not mean that the building cannot have work done to it; listing is there to protect the building and the building has to be maintained. It is a criminal offence to carry out work on a listed building without seeking this approval.

If you own a Grade I or Grade II* property than you could be able to apply for a grant from the English Heritage to carry out any urgent major repair work.

Other Structures that can be Listed

Houses and buildings are not the only structures that can be listed. Other structures which can be listed are war memorials, mile posts and mile stones, monuments, bridges and sculptures.

Type of Properties that are Listed

Buildings constructed before 1700 that are generally in their original condition will be listed and also the majority of properties that were constructed from 1700 – 1840 will be too. From the 1840s onward fewer buildings are considered to merit listing as lots more buildings were built after this date and more have survived intact. After the Second World War even less buildings have been listed and are only listed if they are considered to be very important. More modern buildings can be listed – but only those of outstanding quality which may be threatened with demolition.

Criteria for Listing

The following criteria is used to decide which buildings should be listed:

•  Historic interest, which show aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history.

•  Close historical association, for example with important buildings or events.

•  Group value, such as model villages, squares, terraces etc.

 

The Different Grading used to List a Building

Grade I:

Grade I buildings are considered to be those that are of exceptional interest.

Grade II*

Grade II* buildings are considered to be particularly important buildings of more than special interest.

Grade II

Grade II buildings are considered to be of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

More than 90 percent of the properties that are listed have been given Grade II status.