Listed buildings

A listed building is a building that's included on The National Heritage List for England.

Types of buildings that are listed as Grade 1, 2 or 2* buildings:

• generally all buildings before 1700
• most buildings between 1700 to 1840 (if not badly altered)
• the best buildings of 1840 to the present day

Grade meanings:

• Grade 1 - nationally important
• Grade 2* - exceptional building
• Grade 2 - special interest

What listing means

All parts of a building are covered by listing, including the inside. It also covers any buildings which existed in 1948 that were used with the main building at the time it was listed. This is sometimes referred to as the listed building curtilage. This is important because if a building was listed some years ago, it's difficult to know today what other buildings may be covered by the listing. We do not hold records of what other buildings may be covered by the listing.

The list description only identifies the building - it doesn't tell you what is important.

Find out more on the Planning Portal

Listed building consent

You need consent for any:

• demolition works to a listed building
• alterations or extensions that affect a listed building's character - this covers works to the outside, inside or other buildings within its curtilage

For example, you may even consent to paint a listed building.

How to apply for consent

You need to tell us about any changes and the historic value of anything you'd like to remove. You may need expert advice to help you with this - the Historic Environment Record helpful.

You can use our preliminary planning advice service if you'd like our opinion on applying for listed building consent and the likely outcome of your proposals being accepted.

Apply for consent through the Planning Portal

Setting of a listed building

This is the area around a listed building, which often incudes other properties. You must make sure any works to your building do not harm views of any listed building.

Repairs

Repairs are normally better than replacing with new due to the retention of the historic fabric of the building. If there repairs are exactly like for like, you probably won't need consent.