Why Are Buildings Listed? Buildings are given a listed status to mark their architectural and historical interest. Ultimately, this protects them from inappropriate alterations that may detract from their special interest and damage. Listing is not a preservation order. Listing is a stage of identification where buildings are celebrated as having exceptional architectural or historic special interest, before any planning stage which may decide a building's future. Listing does not freeze a building in time; it means that listed building consent must be applied for in order to make any changes to that building which might affect its special interest. The local authority uses listed building consent to make decisions that balance the site's historic significance against other issues such as its function, condition or viability. All buildings built before 1700 close to their original condition are listed. English Heritage state a building usually has to be over 30 years old. What Can and Can’t I Do? When you buy one of Britain’s 450,000 listed buildings, you are acquiring not just a new home, but part of our national heritage. Whilst listed buildings can be altered, extended and sometimes even demolished within Government planning guidance, each building is judged individually. When a building is listed, consent is required for all works that will alter both the internal and external appearance. This includes for example, replacing windows and doors, removing internal walls and changing fireplaces. A local authority’s officer will advise in detail on what will require consent on your property. While getting planning permission can sometimes be difficult, Up to 90 per cent of listed building consent applications are approved suggest English Heritage. However, many suggested modifications, including double glazing may never make it to the planners’ desk but thrown out at the pre-application stage. Grade II listed applications are made to the local authority in the first instance. English Heritage will only become involved as a matter of course only with Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings. Additional advice may be sought later with Grade II listed buildings, where demolition is visualised or where the local authority has particularly asked for input from a specialist. Be warned, obtaining permission can take time. Listed building consent applications will need to be accompanied by detailed drawings, often carried out by experienced Architectural and Interior Designers. How Do I Apply for Listed Buildings Consent? It is strongly advised that when applying for consent for a listed building, a pre-application consultation is held with the local authority and reviewed by the statutory heritage body for example, English Heritage. Most local authorities aim to let you know the outcome within 8 to 12 weeks. If consent is refused, 6 months are given in which to appeal. Carrying out work without listed building consent is a criminal offence and any local authority may well insist that all work without consent is reversed. Although you can apply for listed building consent retrospectively, it may be rejected and the work undone. Additionally, a property to which work has been carried out that is unauthorised will be very difficult to sell. Listed Buildings Categories GRADE I These buildings are of exceptional interest, often considered to be internationally important. However, only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I.

St Pauls Cathedral Aerial View

GRADE II* These buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Just 5.5% of listed buildings are Grade II*.

Hammersmith Bridge - Grade II Listed

GRADE II 92% of all listed buildings are in this class. It is the most likely grade of listing for a homeowner. Buildings are nationally important and of special interest.

Victorian Property in Little Venice (W9) Recently Refurbished by Landmass, Grade II Listed

Our in-house team of Luxury Interior Designers have an unrivalled imagination that has earned Landmass numerous accolades, including Best Residential Property in the United Kingdom. A complete turnkey solution allows us to mastermind projects from conception through to completion. Over the last 16 years, Landmass have designed and developed over 50 London properties, the latest of which is a Grade II house short listed for Best Residential Property 2014

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