What is a listed building?
A listed building is a building of 'Special Architectural or Historic Interest'. Until recently, the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media & Sport compiled the official List with advice from English Heritage. However, listing is now compiled and managed solely by English Heritage.
In the context of listing, the term 'building' is wide ranging and as well as houses, churches, schools and barns, buildings also include walls, tomb stones, milestones, ice houses, bridges and locks, telephone and post boxes.
Once listed, a building (exterior and interior) has protection under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to ensure that it retains its special importance.
There are approximately 500,000 listed buildings currently protected by listing in England and Wales. South Tyneside has approximately 195 entries on the register of Listed Buildings. Some entries consist of several buildings, such as a terrace of houses.
