If you’re a homeowner, you might be wondering whether or not your property is listed. In this article we discuss listed building specifications.
Listed buildings in England
For most homeowners, listing isn’t an issue. There are only 376,470 listed buildings in England, which is a pretty small minority of buildings. But for owners of period properties, listing is slightly more likely.
Properties are listed to preserve a ‘special interest’, which can refer to either a historical or architectural significance. They can be ranked as Grade 2 (special interest), Grade 2* (more than special interest) or Grade 1 (exceptional interest). It goes without saying that a big proportion of these significant properties are those from notable, interesting periods of British history.
How to find out
So we’ve established what listing is, but how do you find out if your property is listed? Is there an actual ‘list’? In short, yes. The list can be accessed online, where you can search by building name, location or postcode to see if your property is included. It’s also possible to search by the list entry number, for those who are already aware of their property’s listed status.
After finding your property on the map, you will see a small icon if it is listed. Clicking on the icon will allow you to view the full list entry. This page will give you the list entry number, listing grade and official district of the property. It will also include the date of listing and a description of the property with specific features.
What it means
If you find that your property is listed, you might be wondering what that actually means. For one, it means your building is significant, unique and particularly interesting. But it could also pose some problems when it comes to changes and improvements.
Extensions, windows, doors and internal restructuring are all common areas for domestic improvements that are prohibited without permission on listed buildings. They are protected inside and out. But that doesn’t mean you can’t change anything. Permission will be granted as long as your plans don’t affect the building’s interest.
Applying for permission
If you want to apply for permission, the first step is to contact your local conservation officer. They will give you some advice regarding the changes before your application. But you may also want to seek advice from experts in the specific area of your plans.
When it comes to the restoration and renovation of wooden windows and doors, Fortis & Hooke are experts in the field. Working on a range of listed property projects over the years, we are experienced in the application process and can help guide you through it with ease. For more information on listed buildings, check out our complete guide, or call us on 0800 313 4688 to find out how we can help you with your listed property.