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• Listed building questions

1. How does a building become listed?
2. What is the effect of listing?
3. How much of a building is covered by the listing?
4. Does listing extend beyond the building itself?
5. Is consent needed for restoration works?
6. Can an owner be made to repair a listed building?

 
1. How does a building become listed?
The Government has established clear national guidelines on which buildings are suitable for listing. These are set out in planning policy guidance note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment Section 6, published by Her Majesty's Stationary Office (HMSO). Nearly all buildings built before 1700 and most buildings between 1700 and 1840 are eligible for listing. For buildings after 1840, the special architectural qualities and character of the building, its value as part of a group, its historical associations and the significance of the architect are taken into consideration.

To obtain further guidance on how to submit an application to list a building please visit the websites for Culture, Media and Sport or Communities and Local Government.

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2. What is the effect of listing?
If you want to demolish, alter or extend a listed building in any way that would affect its special character, you first need to obtain listed building consent from Knowsley Council. It is an offence to carry out such works without listed building consent. You should always check first and preferably get this confirmed in writing, if consent is not required.

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3. How much of a building is covered by the listing?
All of the building, including its interior, is listed (mentioned in the list description or not). If only a part of the building is protected the list entry will carry a clear note to this effect. The description of the building accompanying the list entry is intended principally to aid identification. Absence from the list description of any reference to a feature (whether external or internal) does not indicate that it is not of interest or that it can be removed or altered without consent. Interiors are rarely described but this is not to be taken as an indication that they are excluded from protection.

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4. Does listing extend beyond the building itself?
Listing covers all buildings and structures within the curtilage of the building at the time it was listed, including all outbuildings & walls etc. unless they are free-standing and/or were built after 1st July 1948.

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5. Is consent needed for restoration works?
Yes, if the works affect the existing character of a listed building in anyway affecting its character as a building of special architectural and historic interest. A change of roof materials (e.g. from slate to concrete tiles), the replacement of existing elements (e.g. windows) or the opening up of an older feature by the removal of an existing one (e.g. a fireplace) are all likely to need consent. Re-pointing would also require consent.

It is advisable to check with the council's Conservation Officer before starting work. It is always important to ensure the work is carried out in accordance with good conservation practice and meets the criteria set out in Policy DQ7: Listed Buildings of the Unitary Development Plan.

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6. Can an owner be made to repair a listed building?
Any owner who fails to take reasonable steps to preserve it can be required to undertake specific repairs, failing which the council may buy it compulsorily. If the building is unoccupied, the council may serve a notice requiring emergency works to be carried out and failing a start to work in a short period of time may itself carry out specific repairs and recover the cost from the owner.

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