Thinking of making changes

The best policy is to get advice before you start!
You can talk to an agent, architect or surveyor on our approved list to get advice.  As the property owner, it is useful for you to have an understanding of why your building is listed and which features should be kept and how best to go about this. You can then brief your agent and contractor accordingly. If you don't use a company from our list, don't make the mistake of assuming they know everything about your property and why it is listed. Also, do remember that if you fail to keep the important features or carry out unauthorised work, you are liable and can be made correct the damaged elements

Current public list (PDF 563Kb)

What works can I do to my listed building

Regular maintenance and "like for like" repairs do not need Listed Building Consent but it would be required if the repairs included removal of historic material or changes to its character.

For example, internal alterations that include removal of historic doors, fireplaces or plasterwork or replacement of external doors or windows would require consent.  However, repainting or redecoration, installing a new bathroom or kitchen fittings would not normally need consent.

Painting and internal decorating does not need Listed Building Consent but any external painting may require consent as it may affect the character of the listed building.  Replacement of modern kitchen and bathroom fittings does not require consent.

Refurbishment involving the removal of internal features, such as doors, fireplaces, plasterwork, panelling or other historic fittings constitutes alterations and Listed Building Consent is required before work is carried out.

As a general rule, any proposals to alter a listed building will need Listed Building Consent. To alter a listed building requires considerable design skill generally, the repair of the historic fabric is preferable to new work and historic features should also be kept for example:

Natural materials should be used wherever possible; plastic ( uPVC) or aluminium windows and doors are always unacceptable. Many suppliers of replacement windows will tell you that installation of plastic windows does not require Listed Building Consent; this is not true. In several instances where owners failed to check and installed the replacement windows, they were forced to remove them.

The durability of plastic windows, in our experience, is a myth; many last between 10 - 15 years because they cannot be repaired when catches etc. break. Also, the plastic can degrade in sunlight and, unlike wooden windows, they cannot have sections replaced.

Ask for some advice before you begin any repairs or changes; it may save you time and money later!