Historic environments: Listed buildings

Can I recommend a buiding to become listed?

Anyone can recommend a building or structure to be Listed. Applications should be directed to English Heritage and should include:

  • Address of the building
  • Any information about the building (e.g. its age)
  • Details of current or previous uses of the building
  • Details of any historical associations
  • The name of the architect (if known)
  • Details of any interior features of interest
  • Clear, original external and internal photographs
  • The name and contact details of owner (if known)
  • A location map (such as an Ordnance Survey map)

For further advice on how to get a building listed or on listing in general, please contact:

English Heritage
Heritage Protection Department
1 Waterhouse Square
138 – 142 Holborn
London EC1N 2ST

Or visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Is your building listed?

If you purchase a listed building, its status will be identified through a land search. Otherwise you can find out if your building is listed by contacting the Area Planning Group:

Area Planning Group
Neighbourhood Services
South Tyneside Council
Town Hall
Westoe Road
South Shields
NE33 2RL
Tel: (0191) 424 7421
Fax: (0191) 427 7171
Email: planning.enquiries@southtyneside.gov.uk

You can also contact the National Monuments Record Centre on:

National Monuments Record Centre
Kemble Drive
Churchward
Swindon
Tel: 01793 414600
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Protecting listed buildings

Listed buildings have protection from demolition and unsympathetic alteration. Statutory controls are in place to ensure that the character and integrity of the building is preserved when any alterations are carried out. Listed building consent is required for any works which are considered to alter or affect its special interest. The owner of a listed building has to apply for listed building consent to the local planning authority. At various stages in the process, English Heritage has the role of advising Local Planning Authorities and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on the most important applications. In determining these applications Local Planning Authorities are required to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and any special features of interest it possesses.

It is always advisable to contact the Local Authority planning department before undertaking any works to a listed building.