Listed buildings

Listed buildings in our district

We have over 3,000 listed buildings in our district.

Historic England identifies and keeps a record of listed buildings, to protect them for their historic or architectural value.

You can:

Our interactive map will also tell you if your property is in a conservation area

If you want to carry out any work on a listed building, you will need to apply for listed building consent

You can find general information about listed buildings on Historic England.

Find out more about a listing

The listed building designation covers the exterior and interior of the building. This includes additions to the original building, as well as any structure fixed to the building or within its curtilage.

In general, we consider a structure to be the part of the listing if:

  • it is ancillary to the principal building
  • it dates from before 1948
  • it was in the curtilage of the principal listed building when it was listed

Any list entries added or amended from 2013 may expressly exclude such curtilage buildings from protection.

Listing or delisting a building

You need to contact Historic England if you want:

  • create a new listing
  • review an existing listing

For new listings, you will need to show new evidence relating specifically to the architectural or historic interest of the building.

Historic building grants

Historic buildings are a finite resource and are of huge importance. Many need extensive maintenance and repair, and some grants are available.

You may be able to get grant funding for work on a listed building from:

Buildings at risk

Essex County Council keeps a register of all buildings in the county that are at risk from neglect, decay or disuse. The register includes:

  • listed buildings
  • buildings in conservation areas
  • ancient monuments

Essex County Council adds buildings to the register that are deliberately uncared for or left empty for a long time.

You can look at the register to find all of the buildings at risk in our district.

Heritage England also has its own register of Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings at risk.

We monitor buildings at risk and try to find long-term solutions for their future.

If you refurbish a building at risk, Essex County Council will remove it from the register when you have finished the work.

Where a listed building is in disrepair, we have legal powers to serve a notice on the owner:

  • an Urgent Works Notice is for emergency repairs only, for example, to keep a building wind and weather-proof or secure against vandalism
  • a Repairs Notice can also include work to preserve architectural details but does not cover work to restore lost features

In extreme cases, we can:

  • carry out the work at the owner's cost
  • compulsorily purchase a building at risk

Reporting a building at risk

You can contact our Enforcement team if you are aware of a historic building which:

  • is derelict
  • not being properly preserved by the owner

Development Management

Address: Causeway House
Bocking End
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9HB

Telephone: 01376 557779