What is a listed building?

Beginning in the 1940s under the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1944 and revised 1947, buildings have been 'Listed' to mark them out as buildings of historical interest, or that may have special architectural properties. Listed buildings are currently compiled under Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Every listed building is on the National Heritage list, which is searchable and pubically accessable, with over 370,000 entries on the list. The criteria for properties to become 'Listed' is varied but includes the connection of that particular property and the people who have either lived in or used the property, and the role the property has played in the history of the UK, examples can be castles, political buildings, homes of famous historical artists and authors etc. Other properties can become listed due to the architect who has built the property, or if it stands out as being distinct in its structure.

Just because a property is listed does not mean a property cannot be used and enjoyed, but it does mean that consent must be applied for and obtained in order to make any changes to the building, especially if it might affect the character or layout of the building. The local planning authority will have a regard of preserving the building and/or its location in relation to any historical interests it holds.

There are 3 Grades of 'Listed' buildings, being II, II* and I, with only 2.5% of listed buildings reaching grade I, and the majority (91.7%) being Grade II. Grade I are those deenmed to be of exceptional interest.

Here are a few examples of interesting 'Listed' buildings/parks or property found on the Historic England website (https://historicengland.org.uk/):

• Prehistoric animal sculptures, Crystal Palace Park, listed in 1973

  
  

• The Fish, Robin Hoods Bay listed in 2006

  
  

• Arqiva Tower, Emley Moor, listed in 2003