Listed buildings
Listed buildings are those of special architectural or historic interest, which are worthy of conservation for the benefit of all. Listed buildings are protected through planning legislation and in many instances repairs or changes to the building will require 'Listed Building Consent' (see below).
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52 Fore Street Bradninch - Grade II* |
There are three grades of Listed building - grade II (buildings that are nationally important and of special interest - 92% of all Listed buildings are this grade), grade II* (particularly important buildings of more than special interest) and Grade I (buildings of exceptional quality which are of national or international importance). In Mid Devon there are approximately 2500 Listed buildings - mile stones, bridges, raised foot paths, houses, farm buildings and many types of other structures. English Heritage assesses whether or not buildings should be Listed by sending out inspectors to consider them, and then local authorities manage and administer their conservation. If a building is Listed the protection covers all of the building (no matter how old that part may be) including the interior and in some cases, fixtures and fittings. The protection also extends to any boundary walls, gates or fences. Detached structures in the building's curtilage are also included, as long as those detached structures were built before 1948. Every Listed building has a 'List description' - that is a short piece of text identifying where the building is, what it is called, when it was Listed and what the main reasons are for it being special and worthy of Listing. Please note - the List description is for identification only and is not a list of all the 'important bits' or the parts of the building that are Listed. See the links below to find out how to get a List Description. Listed building consent is required for any changes that affect the character or appearance of the structure. This could be the replacement of windows, creating new internal doorways or in some instances, repairs. As every Listed building is different it is difficult to provide hard and fast rules as to when consent is needed - it is always best to check with the Council's Conservation Officers or Planning department first as unauthorised works to a Listed building are a criminal offence. |
The following links may be helpful to you:
Application forms and guidance notes for Listed Building Consent
For national policies about Listed buildings and archaeology see the National Planning Policy Framework
For our local policies about Listed buildings
For a copy of a List description - Heritage Gateway
For information on repairs to traditional buildings - SPAB
For information on other building conservation issues - IHBC
To find out more about the historic environment in England - Historic England
For photographs of many (but not all) Listed buildings - Images of England
Heritage Statement / Statement of Significance - Guidance notes on preparing a heritage statement