Nationally listed buildings

When is planning permission needed?

Sometimes planning permission is needed for building work as well as listed building consent, for instance, if you’re building an extension or converting a building into a new use.

Please contact our development management team for advice and guidance.

Consideration of applications

Listing does not mean a building cannot change. The main purpose of listing is to ensure that care is taken over decisions affecting the future of the building and that any alterations respect the character and interest of the building. This will all be considered when an application is submitted.

How long will permission take?

An answer is usually given in about 8 weeks after your application is submitted. If consent is refused, you have 3 months in which you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

When do I need listed building consent?

You will need to get listed building consent from us if you want to demolish a listed building or any part of it, or alter it in any way which would affect its character, inside or out.

Repairs which match the existing historic fabric exactly may not need consent, but the conservation officer will advise you on this as the effect of any repairs is not always straightforward.

Examples of work which may need consent include:

• changing windows and doors

• putting in dormer windows or roof lights

• putting up aerials, satellite dishes and burglar alarms

• changing roofing materials

• moving or removing internal walls

• making new doorways

• removing or altering chimneys and fireplaces, panelling or staircases

It is a criminal offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without consent and the penalties for this can be heavy. We will take any unauthorised works to a listed building very seriously and will pursue prosecution where appropriate.

How do I apply for listed building consent?

If you are thinking about changing a listed building it is always best to speak to us first and to employ an architect who is used to working with listed buildings at an early stage for work on extensions and alterations involving historic fabric. They will have the necessary skills to be aware of where likely difficulties and sensitive areas will be and can draw up sketch proposals, if necessary, for discussion with us before firm decisions are taken.

We also offer a pre-application advice service and we recommend that you speak to our planning department before submitting a planning application or one for listed building consent.

You will also need to submit a heritage statement to justify your proposals:
  

Download the heritage statement guidance

When applying for consent to carry out alterations or extensions, you should ensure that you send in the correct accompanying information, including a full explanation of what the work entails and how it may affect the importance of the building. This way we can fully assess how the work will affect the special architectural or historic character of the building.

What about building repairs? 

Particular attention should always be paid to any repairs, restoration or alterations so that a buildings special character is not damaged or lost. In many cases expert advice will be required and craftsmen experienced in this type of work will be needed.

Advice is available on appropriate methods of repair, materials, design and on the availability of grant aid for structural repairs to preserve the building. Please contact us.