Living in listed buildings

Listed buildings
Buildings are deemed 'listed' to protect properties of significant historical or architectural importance. Listing protects the entire building, both inside and out, and can even affect nearby properties.

Consent is required to carry out any works to a listed building that will affect its special value for listing purposes. This is likely for any major works, but may also be necessary for minor alterations. It may also affect repairs and maintenance or a change of use of the property.

Applications for Listed Building Consent are made in a similar fashion to normal planning applications on a form obtained from your local planning department. It's worthwhile employing an architect who has experience of working with listed buildings.

Don't forget that, whatever special status your property may have, you will still have to comply with building regulations in addition to any specific planning requirements.

Conservation areas
These are defined as 'areas of special architectural or historic interest the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. The purpose of designating a conservation area is to give your local council an additional measure of control over an area that they consider to be of special value. Development within these areas is permitted but the local planning authority may ask for more information to back up the normal planning application.

If you live in a conservation area, you will need consent for the following: to demolish a building with a volume of more than 115 cubic metres; to demolish a gate, fence, wall or railing over 1 metre high, where it is next to a highway (including a public footpath or bridleway) or a public open space; to demolish a gate, fence, wall or railing over 2 metres high anywhere within the conservation area.

Trees in conservation areas are generally treated in the same way as if they were protected by a Tree Preservation Order and you will need to obtain the council's approval for works before they are carried out.

Wildlife
Some houses may be homes for roosting bats or may provide refuge for other protected species. Bats are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so English Nature must be notified of any proposed works likely to disturb the bats or their roosts.

National Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and the Broads
The national importance of the Broads was recognised in 1988 when the Broads Act gave the area a special status, similar in many ways to that of a National Park or an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Broads Authority is the local planning authority for the area and is responsible for controlling most forms of development in the Broads and for preparing local planning policies.