Types of designation e.g. listed building, or location within a conservation area.
- As a general principle, all buildings that pre-date 1700 and are in a relatively intact condition will be listed, as will all buildings that date between 1750 and 1850. The selectivity is increased for buildings that date 1850 and 1945. There is a strict criterion for buildings built after 1945; buildings less than thirty years old are unlikely to be listed unless they have been deemed as exceptional examples of their type.
Listed buildings are protected by government legislation and there are policies in place to ensure that any alterations, including energy efficiency measures, to a listed building will not affect its special interest. It is possible to alter a listed building, but this requires listed building consent and sometimes planning permission. The Historic England Advice Note 16: Listed Building Consent provides more information relating to works which require listed building consent.
Find out if a building is listed here: Historic England, Search the List - Conservation areas are designated by the Local Planning Authority as areas of special architectural or historic interest. Conservation area designation introduces additional planning controls and considerations, which exist to protect an area’s special character and appearance and the features that make it unique and distinctive. Although designation introduces controls over the way that owners can develop their properties, it is generally considered that these controls are beneficial as they preserve and/or enhance the heritage significance of properties.
External alterations or extensions to buildings in conservation areas will generally need planning permission. With regards to energy efficiency measures, generally external works to buildings in a Conservation Area will require planning permission. The approach to conservation areas may also be bespoke to each individual example. Firstly because each conservation area is uniquely distinctive and also because the Article 4 Directions (which remove permitted development rights) may vary between each designation. The Local Authority should be consulted for advice to understand the bespoke requirements for each area.
To find out if a building is located in a conservation area, visit the planning section on the Local Planning Authority’s website. - Locally listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets are considered buildings of local special interest. To find out if your building is locally listed, visit the planning section on your Local Planning Authority’s website.
See Section 5 for applying for permission for energy efficiency measures.
Page updated: 2/11/2022