Listed buildings FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- How does a building become listed?
- What is the effect of listing?
- How much of a building is covered by the
listing?
- Does listing extend beyond the building
itself?
- Is consent needed for restoration works?
- Can an owner be made to repair a listed
building?
1. How does a building become listed?
The Government has clear national guidelines
on which buildings are suitable for listing. These are set
out on the English Heritage web site. English Heritage is the
statutory advisor for the historic environment. Planning Policy
Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment and the
accompanying PPS Practice Guide sets out the national policy for
the management of the historic environment (March 2010).
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 architecture 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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