1. What is a listed building?
2. Why are buildings listed?
3. How are buildings listed?
4. How do I find out if a building is listed?
5. What does listing cover?
6. What is the list description?
7. What is listed building consent?
8. How long does it take to get listed building consent?
9. Where can I find specialist contractors to work on my listed building?
More detailed information can be found in the leaflets about listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 Directions available on this website. You can also contact the borough council’s conservation officers on 01284 757356 or 757339 or you can e-mail conservation@stedsbc.gov.uk.
1. What is a listed building?
A listed building is one which is included on a list put together by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The borough council holds the list for St Edmundsbury.
A listed building is defined as ‘a building of special architectural or historic interest’ and can be anything from a stately home to a telephone box. There are approximately 3200 listed buildings in St Edmundsbury, of which a third are in Bury St Edmunds.
There are three grades of listing. Grade I and II* listed buildings are those considered to be of outstanding architectural or historic interest and of national importance. Grade II listed buildings are those of special interest which warrant every effort to preserve them. This group makes up 92% of all the area’s listed buildings.
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2. Why are buildings listed?
Buildings are selected for listing because of their architectural or historic interest. Some are listed because of their connection with an important person. Modern buildings may be listed if they show an early or innovative use of a material, such as the first pre-cast concrete structures, or because they are the best examples of the work of an eminent architect.
The older the building, the more likely it is to be listed. As a general guide, all buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most buildings built between 1700 and 1840. After that date, the criteria are tighter and buildings must be of exceptional architectural or historic interest to be listed. Further information about the criteria for listing different types of buildings can be found on the English Heritage website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Buildings can also be de-listed, that is, removed from the list. There are, however, only two circumstances where this will be considered. One is where the person applying to de-list a building can show that the reason for listing is incorrect. For example, a building may be listed as a 16th century timber framed house, whereas it is actually a 19th century brick building. Alternatively, someone applying to de-list a building could show that the building’s special interest, which it possessed at the time of listing, has now gone. Caution should be exercised here, as alterations may have taken place without listed building consent (see below) which could leave the owner open to prosecution.
3. How are buildings listed?
English Heritage deal with applications for listing. Anyone can apply to have a building listed. How do I do this? The listing process involves consultation with the building owner and borough council, where they are not the applicants, and there is a right of appeal against English Heritage’s decision.
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4. How do I find out if a building is listed?
You can look at the list for St Edmundsbury at the borough council offices in Western Way, Bury St Edmunds. You should be careful when you are looking for a building in the list because:
- some of the lists are many years old and the names of properties have changed
- buildings are listed by parish, which is not always the same as the postal address of the property
- the list does not include curtilage listed properties (see ‘what does listing cover?’, below)
You can also contact the conservation team on 01284 757356 or 757339, or the planning helpdesk on 01284 757675, to check if a building is listed or you can e-mail conservation@stedsbc.gov.uk or planning.helpdesk@stedsbc.gov.uk with details of the property.
5. What does listing cover?
Regardless of the grade of listing, the degree of protection is the same for every listed building. The whole building, including every elevation and the interior, is protected.
In addition, any building or structure which belonged with the main building when it was listed, and which was built before 1 July 1948, is also included in the designation. Structures which fall into this category are known as ‘curtilage listed’ and can include outbuildings and boundary structures.
Sometimes curtilage listed buildings are sold to a different owner after the main building is listed. Even though their use and ownership has changed since the main building was listed, they will still remain as curtilage listed because of their historic connection with the main building.
Structures put up after 1 July 1948, such as a new garage, are not included in the listing.
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6. What is the list description?
When a building is listed it is included on a list of listed buildings. Each entry includes certain information to help identify each building and is divided into two parts. Part one includes the name and address of the building, its parish, listed building reference number, the grade of listing, the date the building was first listed (in some entries) and whether it has value as part of a group with other listed buildings.
Part two is called the ‘list description’. There is a widely-held belief that this tells you everything which is protected by listing. This is incorrect. The description has no legal significance and its main purpose is to help identify the building. Many are just a brief description of the front elevation of the listed building. It is not a comprehensive record of all the features which make the building worthy of listing.
7. What is listed building consent?
You will need to get listed building consent before you carry out any works which affect the special architectural or historic interest of a listed building. Gaining this consent is similar to obtaining planning permission. The works which need consent will vary depending on the type of building, so it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of everything which needs listed building consent. However some typical examples of work which need consent are:
- replacing windows and doors, even on a like-for-like basis;
- replacing or carrying out extensive repairs to a timber frame;
- forming new openings or blocking existing openings;
- replacing or removing a staircase;
- rebuilding or removing a chimney;
- any extensions, including dormer windows and conservatories; and
- demolition
Some things can be done without listed building consent. This includes minor, small scale repairs which use matching materials and traditional techniques. Replacing bathroom fittings and kitchen units does not usually need consent as long as the work does not involve altering the fabric of the building.
You should always check with the conservation team whether you will need consent before you carry out any works or repairs on a listed building. Telephone 01284 757356 or 757339 e-mail conservation@stedsbc.gov.uk for advice.
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8. How long does it take to get listed building consent?
Applications for listed building consent usually take between six and 12 weeks to deal with and are often granted with conditions which ask for further information to be sent in for approval before work begins. Carrying out work without consent is an offence and can result in a fine, imprisonment, or both, so you should make sure you allow adequate time to get permission and satisfy the conditions before starting work.
9. Where can I find specialist contractors to work on my listed building?
The borough council’s conservation team holds lists of specialists who work on historic buildings and these can be provided on request. Please contact the conservation team using the contact information at the start of this document for further advice and copies of the lists.
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