Listed buildings

​A listed building is a building of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ that has been identified and included on a government list of protected buildings under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Listed buildings are graded according to their importance:

Grade I – of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important – only about 2.5% of all listed buildings in England

Grade II* - particularly important buildings of more than special interest – 5.5% of all listed buildings

Grade II – nationally important and of special interest – 92% of all listed buildings.

​English Heritage administer the statutory list but the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport makes the final decision to include buildings on the list.

Anyone can ask for a building to be listed. English Heritage have an online application form to nominate a building and start the process – see links section.

English Heritage have produced selection guides for assessing candidate buildings for listing. These guides are available on their website – see links section.

The general principles applied by the Secretary of State when deciding whether a building should be added to the list is available on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport website – see links section.

​A gazetteer of all the listed buildings in the Leeds metropolitan area is available to download here.

You can also search on the National Heritage List for England webpage – see links section.

​Listing covers the whole building inside and out, including fixtures and fittings such as fireplaces, doors and panelling. It may also include other buildings in the curtilage, or immediate surroundings, such as boundary walls and ancillary buildings. This is the case whatever the grade of listing.

The list description, is a description to enable the identification of the building. It is not a definitive list of important features and special character of the building. List descriptions are available on the National Heritage List for England Webpage – see links section.

The extent of listing can be a complex matter and it’s always best to check with the Council if in any doubt.

​No. Listing gives protection against unauthorised demolition and harmful change, but change that respects and safeguards the special character of the building is likely to be acceptable.

Changes to listed buildings are controlled through Listed Building Consent which is administered by local authorities. Listed Building Consent is required for any change which may affect the special character of the building.

Consent is not required for like-for-like repairs as long as they are exactly like-for-like in terms of materials and design.

It is generally best to check if proposals require listed building consent as undertaking works to a listed building without the necessary consent may be a criminal act and could lead to prosecution.

Making changes to listed buildings is a specialist task and getting the right advice is essential. Historic buildings work in a different way to modern construction and have to be treated in a different way in order to function properly. Getting advice from people who understand historic buildings and have experience working with them is important. The links provided give contacts for finding an architect or chartered surveyor with experience of historic buildings.