A listed building is one which has been placed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
There are some half a million buildings in the UK with this status, and in boroughs like Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, many of these are private residences.
conservation architects London
If you own a property that is listed, you must obtain special permission from the local planning authority before you may demolish, extend or even alter it.
As experienced conservation architects, we can help you to do this.
The local planners will generally need to consult the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (the Government department with responsibility) in order to sanction your application to modify such a building.
The rules governing what is and is not permitted are both rigorous and, unfortunately, a little arbitrary. They have become more complicated and restrictive with the passing of time. Simply because the owners of an identical listed building a few doors along were successful in obtaining permission to excavate a basement a few years ago does not, for example, mean that you will necessarily be allowed to do that today.
Listed buildings experience
Being conservation architects, we have lengthy experience of working on listed buildings. This is in no small part the result of our long client association with Cadogan Estates, the second largest of London’s aristocratic freehold estates. Some 50% of the properties on which we work are listed.
We are thus in an excellent position to advise owners of Grade I or Grade II listed buildings on what changes are likely or unlikely to be approved by the Planning authorities.
We are often able to help resolve issues that may at first glance seem insurmountable, and we enjoy a good track record for obtaining planning permission for work on listed buildings.
