Frequently Asked Questions

As part of our Listed Building Surveys we can offer outline advice on what may or may not be acceptable in terms of alterations.

In accordance with planning guidelines, here are some changes one can make to a Listed Building:

1. Minor Repairs and Maintenance: You can carry out minor repairs and maintenance work without needing any permission from the local authority.
2. Internal Alterations: Changes to the internal fittings and fixtures can usually be made without the need for consent, provided they don’t affect the building’s character. Changes to layout and partitions / walls will usually require consent.
3. Painting and Decoration: You can repaint, redecorate, and refresh the interior and exterior of the property with suitable materials that match the existing colours and textures.
4. Roofing Repairs: Essential roofing repairs can usually be carried out without needing listed building consent, provided they match the original materials. However, local authority’s have differing views on the extent of “repairs” that are permissible.
5. Replacement Windows: Listed building consent is usually required to replace windows.
6. Extension or Alteration: Any extension or alteration to the building will require listed building consent, and you must submit a listed building consent application.
7. Change of Use: If you want to change the use of the building or convert it into a different type of property, you will usually need to apply for listed building consent.

Remember, before making any changes or alterations to a Listed Building, it is essential to consult with the local authority conservation officer, who will guide you on what can be done legally while preserving the building’s heritage value.

The Listed Property Owners Club offers good advice on changes to a Listed Building – Changes to a Listed Building 

Put simply … Yes. However to what extent this is possible and what methods of upgrade will depend on the buildings construction type.

Generally speaking, it is possible to upgrade the energy efficiency of listed buildings with careful planning and the right approach. Historic England offer the guidance note energy efficiency in historic buildings which offers good consumer advice.

There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of a listed building, including installing insulation, upgrading windows, draft proofing, and adding renewable energy sources.

We foresee that renewable energy production will be an area that has far greater importance in historic buildings in years to come.

If you buy a listed building, you take on the responsibility for any past unlawful modifications. This is why it is important to understand if there have been any changes or modifications that are at risk of future enforcement at the pre purchase stage. We provide this advice as part of our Listed Building Surveys.

You should be aware that when you purchase a listed building, you become responsible for any un-authorised alterations carried out by previous owners and putting them right if need be. It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without obtaining the necessary consent required and the local authority can enforce unauthorised works to be put right, however, they cannot take enforcement action when they do not know if the works were carried out before or after the building became listed.

Enforcement is a complicated, case specific area. We can provide detailed advice if required and there above should be used as a general guide. For detailed guidance follow Historic England unlawful works to a Listed Building 

Installing double glazing in a listed building is usually resisted by conservation officers and the local authority, as the changes could alter the appearance and character of the building and therefore impact its protected status.

However, in some cases, double glazing may be permitted if it can be installed without harming the building’s character or heritage value, or it yields a net improvement. A net improvement may be replacing a uPVC window with a traditional timber window with well detailed double glazing.

In our experience the opinion on the “acceptability” of double glazing varies across local authorities and there is unfortunately not much consistency.

However, times are changing. There is a climate emergency and a greater need to make buildings more energy efficient. So, my belief is that whilst the current most stringent conservation officers who resist double glazing in all instances, in the future will need to yield slightly and relax the rules.

You can read more in our technical information section on this subject here.

The short answer is yes, the longer answer is it depends on the scheme.

Just because a building is Listed does not mean it cannot be altered or extended. There have been many fantastic schemes undertaken on Listed Building to make the buildings more “workable” for 20th C living.

The alterations and extensions will however require Listed Building Consent which will attract a greater degree of scrutiny and review than a typical extension on a non Listed Building. The extension will need to not harm the host building or its significance. Historic England offer good advice on extending your Listed Building. Historic England – I want to extend my house. 

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