If you own or manage an historic property in England, you may suddenly be made aware that someone has submitted an application to Historic England to have it listed. Anyone can do this and it doesn’t just happen when development is proposed. So what is the process and what does it mean?

If listed, a building is added to the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) which is maintained by Historic England. Following receipt of an application, Historic England will decide if it is worth investigating further and if it does, it contacts the owner/occupier to tell them their property is being considered. Historic England will seek to visit and inspect the building before producing a Consultation Report, which sets out factual information about the building such as its historic development and construction.

Once this report is complete, there is a period of 21 days’ consultation. The Consultation Report will not give any indication or recommendation as to Historic England’s view. It is an objective exercise following which interested parties are able to respond and submit any additional relevant information.

The consultation period is usually the most appropriate time to comment on the listing application, especially if you wish to object. A heritage specialist can help in explaining the criteria and advise on whether the building might qualify.

Once the 21 day consultation period closes, Historic England will review any submitted responses and then produce an Advice Report which assesses the building against relevant criteria and makes a recommendation. This recommendation is forwarded to the Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who will make the final decision on whether the building is added to the NHLE.

Listed buildings are designated for their special architectural and/or historic interest. To be of special architectural interest a building must be of importance in its architectural design, decoration or craftsmanship; special interest may also apply to nationally important examples of particular building types and techniques (buildings displaying technological innovation or virtuosity, for example) and significant plan forms.

To be of special historic interest a building must illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural, or military history and/or have close historical associations with nationally important people. There should normally be some quality of interest in the physical fabric of the building itself to justify the statutory protection afforded by listing.

In addition to its Principles document, Historic England has produced 44 selection guides relating to a range of situations, including 20 that concern different building types. This helps inform Historic England’s recommendation.

Further information

Contact Natalie Aldrich

Savills Heritage & Townscape Planning