What is a Listed Building?
Only a small proportion
of buildings in Britain (about 2.5%) are listed by the Department
of National Heritage as being of special architectural or historic
interest. Listing protects an irreplaceable part of our cultural
heritage from unsympathetic changes and unnecessary
destruction.
All buildings listed before 1700 which survive in anything like
their original form are listed as most are built between 1700 and
1840. Between 1840 and 1914 the range of buildings listed becomes
more selective. More recent buildings of special character may also
be listed. The special interest of a building is not always
visible; for example, an important ancient timber frame may be
hidden behind later plaster or brickwork.
You can see the register of listed buildings at Causeway House
and at County Hall. Every listed building is identified and briefly
described. Only the main features may be described but the whole
building is listed, including the interior; there is no such thing
as a listed interior, exterior or single facade. Later additions,
outbuildings, garden walls and associated structures are also
protected by listing even if they are not mentioned in the list
description.
Listed Building Consent
All changes which
affect the character of a listed building require listed building
consent (LBC) from your local authority. There is no charge
for LBC and there is VAT relief on alterations for which consent is
granted (Further information is available from your local Customs
& Excise Department on 01206 563154). Listing does not mean
that no changes will be allowed but each proposal will be assessed
individually. Unauthorised work to a listed building is a criminal
offence, and carries heavy penalties.
You need consent to alter extend or demolish any part of a
listed building. This includes for example taking down chimneys;
removing fireplaces, partitions or staircases; replacing windows
and doors, or altering their openings, and any change to the
external appearance.
Some apparently minor works can damage the fabric as well as the
appearance of old buildings and should be avoided:
Cement pointing or rendering in place of traditional lime
mortars can seriously damage brickwork.
Concrete roof tiles are unsuitable for old roofs and may be too
heavy for the roof timbers. Cleaning old brick or timber can often
cause damage and sandblasting is always unacceptable. Exposed
brickwork should never be painted. uPVC windows cannot reproduce
the character of old timber ones and are unacceptable in listed
buildings. Decorative features such as mouldings and ironwork
should always be kept. Consent should be sought for satellite
dishes and gas meter boxes. Installing a damp proof course needs
special care.
Repairs which do not involve any change do not need consent but
you should be sure that they are necessary. For example, it is
often cheaper as well as more sympathetic to repair rather than
replace windows.
Painting
In some cases painting a listed
building can require consent, and as a general rule care should be
taken to use appropriate colours and paint types with
traditionalrendered or plastered buildings. Please check before
carrying out any repainting.
Other Information
Always choose an
architect and builder with proven experience of dealing with old
buildings.
If you are thinking about altering or repairing your listed
building, or you are unsure whether your building is listed, free
specialist advice is available from the Historic Buildings &
Design Section, Planning Services, Essex County Council, County
Hall, Chelmsford CM1 1LF. Telephone (01245) 437657 or 437666
For information on Historic Buildings in Braintree District
please phone the Planning Department on 01376 552525 or
write to:
Head of District Development
Braintree District Council
Causeway House
Braintree
Essex CM7 9HB