Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Whart have you bodged up today

Am late in joining this thread but have noticed that it is thought in a number of posts that the 'listing' of a building means that it can't be altered.

This is not correct but the legislation covering this issue does require for the appropriate approval (Consent) to be sought from the relevant Local Planning Authority who will also wish to consult other interest parties in their decision making, such as Historic England, Cadw and Historic Scotland. Listed buildings can be altered or even demolished but the experience of many indicates that this can be difficult to achieve and depends on the character and caution of the Conservation Officer concerned.

Unlike Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval, which may also be needed, the consent required for works to Listed buildings is covered by a different Act of Parliament, i.e. the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and, unlike the the others mentioned, failure to comply is a criminal offence. In my experience, not many people seem to recognise this. It also perhaps explains the caution of many of the officers involved in cases.

The websites of the three national authorities mentioned have very good websites covering all aspects of 'heritage' legislation which is there to protect heritage 'assets' in the long term national interest. If this protection wasn't there many of these would have been swept away by the shorter term interests of owners and developers.