Listed buildings

• What is a listed building
• What is a locally listed building
• Is my building listed
• View listed buildings in your area
• Works to listed buildings and listed building consent
• Applying for listed building consent
• Listed building advice fees
• How do I apply for a building to be listed
• How do I apply for a building to be de-listed
• Implications of owning a listed building

What is a listed building

A listed building is one included in a statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest compiled and managed by English Heritage. The list is frequently reviewed and changed. Listing a building gives it legal protection, so that it can be preserved for future generations to enjoy. The council has made policies to further safeguard statutorily listed buildings, these are set out in the Chichester District Local Plan. 

What is a locally listed building

In addition to statutorily listed buildings, the council maintains a 'Local List' of properties in Chichester city that it considers to be architecturally and historically important. These buildings are not generally subject to any special protection, but the importance as a heritage asset and their character will be a consideration for any application that might affect the building.

Is my building listed?

Chichester District contains over 3,000 listed buildings, which have been individually surveyed and listed as being of special architectural or historic interest.

If you want to find out whether your building is listed visit the English Heritage website. This will allow you to search through a database of listed buildings. If you are still unsure whether a building is listed or not contact Chichester District Council. We hold the "Greenbacks" which are the books which contain all the listed building descriptions for the district as well as having access to a number of databases and original maps. Anyone can have access to the "Greenbacks", these are held at Planning reception.

Check if your building is listed (opens new window)

View listed buildings in your area

By using our web mapping software, you can view listed buildings any where in the district.

• View listed buildings in your area (opens new window)

Contact us 

For further information and advice email contact@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone us on 01243 785166.

Find out if your building is listed

Chichester District has over 3,000 listed buildings, which have been individually surveyed and listed as being of special architectural or historic interest.
If you want to find out whether your building is listed search the list held by Historic England. 
If you are still unsure whether a building is listed or not contact Chichester District Council. We hold the "Greenbacks" which are the books which contain all the listed building descriptions for the district as well as having access to a number of databases and original maps. Anyone can have access to the "Greenbacks", these are held at Planning reception.

View listed buildings in your area

By using our interactive mapping  system you can view listed buildings any where in the district.

Works to listed buildings and listed building consent

Carrying out works to a listed will often need special permission from the Council, and this is called listed building consent. If consent is not granted before works are carried out, those works would be unauthorised.
Carrying out unauthorised works to a listed building is a criminal offence and individuals can be prosecuted. The planning authority can insist that all work carried out without consent is reversed. You should therefore always talk to the local planning authority before any work is carried out to a listed building.
An owner will often have trouble selling a property which has not been granted Listed Building Consent for work carried out. 

Applying for work to a listed building

Listing a building does not mean that it is preserved forever in its existing state. It merely ensures that the architectural and historic interest of a building is carefully considered before any alterations are agreed. A lot of listed buildings can sustain some degree of sensitive alteration or extension. In fact, changes reflecting the history, use and ownership of a building are also an aspect of the special character of a particular property. However some buildings are sensitive to even slight alterations especially if they are small or have particularly important interiors.

Repairs:

• If you want to carry out small, like-for-like patch repairs to a listed building this might not require a Listed Building Consent application. You should use the same materials that are used in the original house.
• If you intend to use alternative materials or replace complete features such as windows, doors or staircases then an application is required, even if it is like-for-like.
• You are advised to contact the Historic Buildings Advisor to confirm whether the work constitutes a repair under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
• Any unlawful works which take place without the relevant consents could result in enforcement action being taken against the owner.

Alterations:

• If you wish to do any other works to the building, including building an extension, demolition of any part of the building (including internal walls), or putting up partitioning, then a Listed Building Consent Application is required even if planning permission is not.
• The removal of key fixtures and fittings also requires Listed Building Consent. For example, the removal of fireplaces and historic panelling.
• If you suspect that your property has historic decoration, changing this may require Listed Building Consent.
• For some works more than one permission may be required. For example, planning permission and listed building consent may be needed for an extension.
• Gaining one permission does not automatically mean that the other will be granted. You must wait for decisions on all the required permissions before starting work.

Apart from agreed repairs all works to a listed building need Listed Building Consent regardless of its Grade. This includes any internal alterations.

Before submitting an application you are advised to contact us about what you propose. Although they cannot guarantee a favourable decision they can point you in the right direction.

Listed building advice fees

How do I apply for a building to be listed

Historic England is responsible for listing buildings, and maintains the list. You can find out more about the listing process and how to apply for a listing online. 

How do I apply for a building to be de-listed

You can apply to Historic England to have a building removed from the list, also known as de-listing. Historic England have provided guidance on removing a building from the list which explains the process and the criteria.

Implications of owning a listed building

There is no specific duty on owners to keep their buildings in a good state of repair (although it is clearly in their interests to do so). However, the Local Authority does have powers to take action if an historic building has deteriorated to the extent that its future preservation may be at risk.

If we feel that a building is at risk of being lost, we can do the following:

• Under section 54 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 the Local Authority may carry out urgent works for the preservation of the Listed Building after serving notice on the owner.  The Authority may then recover the cost of these works from the owner(s).
• Under section 48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 the Local Authority may serve a repairs notice on the owner.  This notice will specify the works which the Authority considers reasonably necessary for the proper preservation of the building.  This is not restricted to urgent works.
• If the work hasn't taken place two months after the repairs notice is served, we can start compulsory purchase order proceedings. This is under Section 47 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. It also can include the purchase of any land needed for the purpose of access, amenity or management in connection with the building.

Our first concern is for the upkeep and retention of the Listed Building.  Our preference is always to work with the owners to find the best way forward for the building.