What Qualities Does A Building With Listed Status Have?

A listed building is a building that is included on a statutory list because it is considered to be of special architectural or historical significance. This raises the interesting question of exactly what qualities a building needs in order to be considered for listing. Here is a closer look at the system and some of some of the key criteria an eligible building should have.

When did the listed building system begin?

The roots of the present system lie in the late 19th century, when John Ruskin and William Morris founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). 

This approach was consolidated by the British government in the post war years of 1944 to 1947, when it was necessary to ascertain which buildings merited saving from the extensive bomb damage to towns and cities. The National Heritage List was created and legislated by the Town and Country Planning Acts.

Three degrees of listing were established in England and Wales: Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Over 90% of all listed buildings fall in the Grade II category, with 5.8% in the Grade II* category and just 2.5% in the Grade I category. 

What are the criteria for a listed building?

Initially, most emphasis was placed on the exterior of the building, but by the late 20th century the interior was considered in much more detail. In most circumstances, the building will need to be over 30 years old to be eligible for listing, and the older it is, the more likely it will qualify because it has stood the test of time.

All buildings constructed before 1700 that retain at least some original features are listed, and most buildings dating from between 1700 and 1840 are listed if they have survived in their original state. The definition of a building is broad, encompassing any man-made structure such as bridges, headstones, and even telephone boxes. 

According to Historic England, To be considered of special architectural interest, a building should be a nationally important example of a particular type or technique of building, or have outstanding levels of design, decoration, or craftsmanship. 

From a historical perspective, the building may either have close association with nationally recognized figures, or bear significance to the nation’s social, cultural, economic or military history. The building should also usually have some physical merit to meet the qualifying criteria. 

How does a listing affect a building?

Anyone can nominate a building for consideration for listed status. Historic England is currently prioritising Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) which are places that have underappreciated historical and architectural significance. 

Once a building is listed, consent must be applied for before any changes are made. However, it does not mean that the building must remain preserved in its original state and in some cases, they can undergo restoration or even be extended or altered. 

There is plenty of free advice available on how to maintain or make improvements to listed buildings, and it may be possible to apply for a grant towards the cost from one of the UK’s various heritage organisations and charities.