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Listed Buildings
Even though newly built houses are more energy/space efficient and cheaper to maintain, the vast majority of the British public love period properties and most Englishmen (and women) would love their home to actually be a castle.
Louise Harris
Homes that boast architectural idiosyncrasies or period features are particularly sought after and if a building is 'listed' it is officially outstanding. The list is a register that records buildings considered to be special because of age, rarity, architectural merit/technical innovation or association with a famous person/event. It can include village pumps or tower blocks as well as castles and houses and not all listed properties are necessarily 'aesthetically pleasing' - Birmingham's Bullring Centre Rotunda is listed as a prime and rare example of 1970s architecture, although it isn't exactly a traditional image of beauty. Listing a building means that its architectural and historic character must not be affected if alterations to either the exterior or interior are proposed.
Buildings built before 1700 which are still close to their original condition are listed, as are most built between 1700 - 1840. Thereafter, criteria are much stricter.
The are 3 Grades, broken down as follows:
Grade I - buildings of exceptional interest.
Grade II* - buildings of particular importance/more than special interest.
Grade II - buildings of special interest that warrant every effort to preserve them.
There are currently 500,000 listed buildings in the UK, 90% of which are Grade II. Designation and grading are decided by English Heritage and qualifying conditions vary slightly in Scotland and NI.
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Although buildings are listed in their entirety (you can't just list a facade or interior) it doesn't necessarily follow that you have to live with a feature you don't like or remain cramped if space is in short supply. Obviously you can forget any ideas about pebble-dashing Tudor timbers or double-glazing stained glass windows, but alterations, extensions or partial demolitions are not out of the question.
These alterations would need Listed Building Consent:
Changing windows and doors
Painting over brickwork
Removing external surfaces
Putting in dormer windows or rooflights
Putting up aerials, satellite dishes and burglar alarms
Changing roofing materials
Moving/removing internal walls
Making new doorways
Removing or altering fireplaces, panelling or staircases
If you are hoping to make some changes to a property, you will probably need to get Listed Building Consent from the local planning authority. The process is similar to obtaining Planning Permission, although it's more flexible and 90% of applications are granted.
In some cases, repairs and alterations may need to be carried out with materials that are in keeping with the original buildings, which could prove expensive, although if your building is Grade I or II* listed there may be grants available to assist with the work. Maintenance of a Listed Building is the owner's responsibility though, and if a Local Authority considers that a property is not being properly looked after they may serve a repairs notice that must be complied with. Furthermore, it is an offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without proper consent and the penalty can be an unlimited fine or up to 12 months imprisonment.
In some cases, repairs and alterations may need to be carried out with materials that are in keeping with the original buildings, which could prove expensive, although if your building is Grade I or II* listed there may be grants available to assist with the work. Maintenance of a Listed Building is the owner's responsibility though, and if a Local Authority considers that a property is not being properly looked after they may serve a repairs notice that must be complied with. Furthermore, it is an offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without proper consent and the penalty can be an unlimited fine or up to 12 months imprisonment.
If you like the idea of living in a listed building you can see lists covering your area at your local planning department, county Council offices and most local reference libraries. Equally, if you think a building should be given or withdrawn from listed status you can write to the Department of National Heritage and they will consider your proposal.
Dept. of National Heritage
Listing Branch
Room C9/15
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 3EB
National Monuments Record
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2GZ
Department of Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur St
London
SW1Y SDH
Listed Buildings Information Service 020 7298 8221
The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England
23 Savile Row
London
W1X 2HE
Local Councils
Most local councils have information on Listed Buildings in their area and usually have the same web address, ie www.(name of city).gov.uk
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