Listed Buildings
The purpose of this page is to provide advice to owners,
occupiers and potential purchasers of listed buildings, what
listing means and how it may affect them. There are over 3000
listed buildings in Ashford. Our Digital
Mapping service will allow you to view the location of all the
listed buildings within the Borough based on a postcode search, so
you can find out if your building is listed.
What is a Listed Building?
A listed building is a building that is considered to
be of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
The list is created by the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport on the advice of English Heritage. Buildings
are listed so that we can identify and protect our architectural
heritage. Buildings are not automatically listed because of their
age, they are judged against the following national
criteria:
|
Architectural interest |
A building may be listed because of its design, decoration and
craftsmanship, technological innovation and internal layout. |
| Historic interest |
Buildings that show important aspects of the nations social,
economic, cultural or military history or association with
nationally important people. Buildings listed for their
historical interest should also have some quality of interest in
their physical fabric. |
| Group value |
Where buildings comprise an important architectural or historic
entity. |
In addition to the main criteria there are general
principles of selection that aid the decision. Age and
rarity are an important factor; in general the older the
building is, and the fewer examples of its kind, the more likely it
will be listed. Buildings less than thirty years old are only
listed if they are of exceptional quality and at
threat. Another consideration is the external
appearance of a building, although this does not always illustrate
the importance of a building, for example buildings built
using innovative technology.
The condition of a building, its suitability for alternative
uses, or the cost of maintenance are not matters which affect a
building's suitability for ‘listing’, although these are taken into
consideration if an application for demolition is subsequently
submitted.
What does the listing cover?
When a building is listed the entire building is protected, this
includes both the exterior and the interior. Also listed
is any object or structure fixed to the listed buildings, and any
structure built before 1948 within the grounds (officially called
the 'curtilage') of the listed building. This includes
outbuildings, garden walls and other boundary structures, gates
and, in some cases, even brick paths and terraces and
statuary. We can advise you whether or not your
outbuilding or structure is curtilage listed.
The grading of Listed Buildings
Listed Buildings are classified into grades reflecting their
particular importance; however, all listed buildings, regardless of
their grade, have the same protection by law.
| Grade I |
Buildings are of exceptional interest. |
| Grade
II* |
Buildings are of more than special interest. |
| Grade II |
Buildings are of special interest warranting every effort to
preserve them. These form the majority of Listed Buildings in
the Borough. |
All list entries include a description of the building; however,
this is intended principally to aid identification and in some
instances can be very short. The absence of any feature of the
building from the list description does not indicate that it is of
no architectural or historic interest or that it may be removed or
altered without consent.
What if I own a listed building?
Listing does not suggest that a building must be preserved
intact for all time, rather that care will be taken over decisions
affecting its future and any alterations must respect the character
and special interest of the building.
Once a building is listed, Listed
Building Consent is required for any works of demolition,
or for the alteration or extension of the building in any manner
that affects its character as a building of special architectural
or historic interest. You will need to apply to the
Council for Listed Building Consent.
Buying a Listed Building
If you are considering buying a listed building it is worth
bearing in mind the following points:
- If your purchase is dependent on adding an extension or
altering the listed building in some way, contact us for
advice before buying the property. In some cases we may resist any
changes and you could be disappointed. New building within the
setting of a listed building may be controversial and should not be
relied upon to finance restoration or increase property value.
- Surveys for mortgage purposes are sometimes carried out by
surveyors with limited experience of old properties, and
recommendations may be made which are not appropriate to historic
buildings. Always try to ensure that your surveyor has appropriate
experience and seek a second opinion if necessary.
- Local Searches sometimes show that alterations have been
carried out without Listed Building Consent. There is no time limit
on pursuing enforcement action against such unauthorised works and
as the owner you may be liable for any offending work carried out
by previous owners.
This webpage was updated on
7/21/2010