Listed Buildings

Listed buildings are buildings of particular architectural or historic interest and as such require special protection. Buildings can be listed because of their age, rarity, architectural merit or method of construction. They may also be listed because of the part they have played in the life of a famous person or as the scene of an important event. An interesting group of buildings, such as a model village or a square may also be listed.

The prime purpose of listing is to protect the building and its surroundings from changes which will materially alter the special historic or architectural importance of the building or its setting. Listing protects the whole building, both inside and out, and may also protect adjacent buildings if they were erected before July 1948. The process ensures that the architectural and historic interest of the building is carefully considered before any alterations, either outside or inside, are agreed.

There are around 500,000 listed buildings in the UK, most of which were built before 1840. All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most that were built between 1700 and 1840. After that date, the criteria become tighter with time, so that buildings constructed after 1945 have to be exceptionally important to be listed.

The Grades

Listed buildings are graded to show their relative architectural or historic interest:

England and Wales

• Grade I
  Buildings of exceptional interest. (2%)
• Grade II*
  Particularly important buildings of more than special interest. (4%)
• Grade II
  Of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them. (94%)

Scotland and Northern Ireland

• Category A
  Buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type. (8%)
• Category B
  Buildings of regional or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered. (60%)
• Category C(S)
  Buildings of local importance and lesser examples of any period, style or building type. (32%)

Listing and Planning

If your house is listed, you will need to obtain Listed Building Consent to carry out any works that will affect its special value. Consent will almost certainly be needed for any major works, but may also be required for minor alterations and possibly even repairs and maintenance. You may also need consent for work that does not directly affect the listed building but is close enough to potentially affect its setting.