Listed Buildings

What is a listed building

A listed building or structure is one that is considered to be so important to the nation’s heritage that it is included on the Secretary of State's Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. Inclusion on the list means that the buildings are protected by special planning controls to safeguard their character and appearance for future generations. Every listed building has its own list description. These vary from a couple of lines to a couple of pages, but primarily they are a means of identifying the building in question, rather than being a comprehensive catalogue of everything that is important about the building.

Listing protection applies to the whole building or structure at the address named on the list and always covers both the interior and exterior. Listing protection also applies to any building or structure which is fixed to a listed building.

Curtilage listed buildings

Listing protection also applies to buildings or structures that were built before 1948 and were within the curtilage of a listed building at the time it was listed. The term ‘curtilage’ generally applies to the garden or grounds of a listed building (such as the churchyard around a church) but could also include a much wider area (such as the parkland around a Manor House).

Examples of common curtilage structures include barns, stables, coach houses, pigsties, toilets, greenhouses, statues, gravestones, boundary walls, gates and railings.

Grading

A building may be Grade II, Grade II* or Grade I listed. Grade I buildings have the highest level of protection. Whatever the grade of your listed building, Listed Building Consent must be sought and gained for most alterations to the interior or exterior of the building other than maintenance and some minor repairs. Unauthorised alterations to listed buildings breach planning controls and are a criminal offence.

Informal pre-application advice

If you are considering carrying out works to your listed building or structure, we advise you to submit an informal written pre-application enquiry to planningandgrowth@rushcliffe.gov.uk giving the name and address of the building, a site plan, details of the works you are considering, and your contact details. There is no charge for this service and there is currently no charge for applying for Listed Building Consent.

Find out how to look after your listed building.

Find information about climate change and listed buildings.

The buildings at risk register.

For more information about listed buildings, visit the Historic England website.