What are listed buildings?

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 over 3000 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.  

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.

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.

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. The conservation officers are happy to discuss any proposals you have before you make an application.

Gaining listed building consent is similar to obtaining planning permission. Application forms and checklists of the information which you must provide with your application are available from this website or you can get copies from the planning helpdesk on 01284 757675 or email planning.helpdesk@stedsbc.gov.uk

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 the conservation officers on 01284 757356 or 757339 or email conservation@stedsbc.gov.uk for advice.

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.

For further information about listed buildings see Frequently asked questions.

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