Charnwood Borough Council

What changes and alterations am I allowed to do in my Listed Building?

What does "like for like" mean?

How do I find out if a building is listed?

Changes and Alterations in a Listed Building

We hope that as the owner of a listed building you will see yourself as the guardian of a treasure to be maintained and passed on to a future generation. This doesn’t mean that you mustn’t alter it. We hope you will enjoy living there. What we ask is that you be sensitive to its character, to its features and its history which have made it special.

• Things to remember:
• The whole building is listed, inside and out.
• The listing covers the curtilage of the building, which is normally the extent of the property, ie the garden. This means that outbuildings, sheds, garden walls must also be considered when you are planning to make changes.
• There’s no such thing as just a listed façade.

Check the listing description by clicking on the settlement.
The description will be brief – it is intended to be a note of how to identify the building, what is special about it. If a feature is described it’s clearly important but if something is not mentioned that does not mean it’s not part of the listed building.

• Things you can do with permission – ie Listed Building Consent:
• Add an extension.
• Build a garage, conservatory, shed.
• Alter internal walls.
• Replace windows, doors, etc with like for like.

You can apply for Listed Building Consent online and you may also need planning permission.

• Things you will not normally be allowed to do:
• Demolition.
• Knock down chimneys.
• Alter internal walls in order to make larger spaces.
• Install uPVC double glazing.
• Change the roofing material, eg from slate to tile.
• Clad the walls or render them.
• Add roof lights or a dormer window so you can use the loft, though consideration may be given to installing rooflights on a non-principal elevation – ie not at the front of the building
• Add new windows.

Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to make changes to a statutory listed building without consent. Any alteration aside from normal maintenance, repair and decoration will require Listed Building Consent and possibly planning permission as well.

• Do not hesitate to contact us. We are always willing to answer your questions and to meet you on site.

Like for Like

Like for Like means as exactly the same as the original as possible:

• The same design
• The same kind of material
• The same construction techniques

For instance, when you replace a sash window it should be in timber, certainly not uPVC, single glazed, with the same glazing bars with the same pattern of moulding made by cutting the moulding before cutting the tenons and mortices, not made by routing after jointing.
However, it is reasonable to use new technology to make the window slide and operate more efficiently.
If you are in doubt, please contact us.

To find a Listed Building

1: If you know the address:
On the right of this page is a list of settlements which each contain the addresses of their Listed Buildings.

2: If you know a nearby postcode:
Go to My Charnwoodand enter the postcode

This icon means the building is listed

This icon means the building is not listed

3: Contact us