What is a listed building?

A listed building is a structure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving special protection. Listing marks and celebrates a building's special architectural and historic interest and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system so that it can be protected for future generations. The older a building is, and the fewer the surviving examples of its kind, the more likely it is to be listed.

The general principle is that all buildings built before 1700 that survived in anything like their original condition are likely to be listed, as are most buildings constructed between 1700 and 1850. Meticulous selection is required for buildings from the period after 1945. Buildings under 30 years old are generally not considered to be of special architectural or historic interest because they have yet to stand the test of time.

Listed buildings are graded to show their relative importance. The three grades of listing are:

Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest (only 2.5% of listed buildings)
Grade II*: Grade II buildings of particular importance (5.8% of listed buildings)
Grade II: Buildings of special interest that warrant every effort to preserve (91.7% of all listed buildings).

Historic England manages a 'statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest'. It is the government's statutory advisor, not to be confused with English Heritage, which, as a charity, manages a portfolio of historic properties.

Buildings are listed so that their particular qualities can be legally protected. When a building is listed, the owner becomes a custodian of part of the nation’s heritage, entrusted with preserving it for future generations.

If you want to find out if your property is listed, you can search the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).

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