Listed Buildings

In legal terms, a listed building is a building that has special architectural or historic interest and which has been included on a list of such buildings. The lists are organized by parish and then street name.

The buildings selected are meant to cover a typical cross section of architectural styles and building types throughout the country. The extent to which the building survives in its original form and its date of construction are both important factors; the better its condition and the older or rarer a building is, the more likely it is to be listed.

Within the District of North West Leicestershire there are over six hundred and fifty listed buildings, ranging in scale from mileposts and telephone kiosks through to the churches and country houses at Staunton Harold and Coleorton. A summary of the listed buildings within the area can be found in the Index of the Listed Buildings of North West Leicestershire (PDF Document, 1 Mb).

Copies of the list description and a photograph of many of the listed buildings can also be found at the Images of England web site. Further information can be found in Listed Buildings: An Outline Guide (PDF Document, 0.4 Mb).

How can I get a building listed?

It is English Heritage which selects the buildings to be listed, not the District Council. However, anyone can ask for any building to be considered and an explanation of how to do this can be found on the English Heritage website.

What are the effects of listing?

A special form of permission called Listed Building Consent (LBC) is required for any works of extension, demolition or alteration "which would affect the character of the building as one of special architectural or historic interest". This is in addition to any other form of permission that may be required. It is a criminal offence to undertake the works without first getting LBC

Some general advice on the sort of works that will require consent can be found in . However, there is always an element of judgement in deciding what needs consent and anyone contemplating works to a listed building should seek the advice of the Conservation Officer before starting.

How do I make a Listed Building Consent application?

Follow this link for application forms to make a Listed Building Consent application . There is one form for works which only require LBC and separate forms which combine LBC with other types of permission (e.g. planning permission). Only one form is required and it is important that the right one is selected.

What happens if a listed building is falling into disrepair?

It is an unfortunate truth that not all listed buildings are as well maintained as they should be. The Council will always try to work with the owners of listed buildings to find creative solutions to secure the future of historic buildings.

However, this is not always possible and, in those rare cases, the Council has legal powers to serve either an 'Urgent Works Notice' or a 'Repairs Notice' on the owners of the building. These specify the works required for the preservation of the building.

Urgent Works Notices, as their name implies, are used only for emergency repairs such as keeping the building wind- and water-tight or providing temporary support to prevent collapse. A Repairs Notice can go further and require more extensive works to repair the building to its condition at the time of listing.

Can I do emergency work to a listed building?

Occasionally, a need may arise to do works at very short notice for reasons of safety. If this really is the case, and works are undertaken without prior consent or the knowledge of the Council, the following could provide the basis of a defence:-

(a) that works to the building were urgently necessary in the interests of safety or health or for the preservation of the building;
(b) that it was not practicable to secure safety or health or, as the case may be, the preservation of the building by works of repair or works for affording temporary support or shelter;
(c) that the works carried out were limited to the minimum measures immediately necessary; and
(d) that notice in writing justifying in detail the carrying out of the works was given to the local planning authority as soon as reasonably practicable.