What is a Listed Building?

A listed building is a building or structure that has been designated as being of national architectural and historic significance. Tamworth Borough has a total of 175 listed buildings which are located throughout the borough. Listed buildings are designated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport under advice from Historic England. Each listed building or structure is divided into one of the following three categories which relate to their importance:-

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, only 2.5% of listed buildings in England are Grade I;

Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest; only 5.5% of listed buildings in England are Grade II*

Grade II buildings are of special interest; 92% of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a home owner.

It is a common misconception that only the front façade of the building is listed, this is incorrect, as typically the entire building is listed which includes all historic walls and interior fixtures and fittings and may include structures and walls within the garden of the building.

Is my building listed?

Historic England hold the database of all buildings which are listed which is continuously updated. It can be accessed on to the Historic England website where you can search for a listed building by name or location.

Curtilage Listed Buildings

Buildings or structures such as outbuildings or farm buildings etc can be curtilage listed which means that they benefit from the same listed status as the host building. This is often a difficult exercise to determine which is a balance between professional judgement, the specifics of the case and case law. The Conservation Officer at Tamworth Borough Council is best suited to answer whether any buildings or structures are considered to be part of the curtilage.

No case is the same with site specific elements needing to be considered. The Conservation Officer in making their decision will base their decision typically upon:-

i) the physical layout of the listed building and the building or structure;

ii) the ownership, past and present; and

iii) the use or function past and present - specifically whether the building or structure was ancillary to (i.e. subordinate to and dependent on) the purposes of the listed building at the date of listing.

What are my responsibilities as an owner/ tenant of a listed building?

Owning a listed building or structure doesn’t mean that that the building is frozen in time and not able to be altered or extended. Listed Buildings do however need care and an understanding as to their construction methods which are different to today which can cause damage to the historic fabric of a listed building. Extensions and alterations need to be of a high quality and material with attention given to preserving the special interest and significance of a building.

I want to undertake works to a Listed Building?

When thinking about works to a listed building, it is best practice to first speak to the Conservation Officer at Tamworth Council who may want to come out and visit your residence to discuss the works and advise on the appropriate materials and techniques needed. It is best to have some plans or sketches to illustrate what you intend to do. Sometimes a site visit won’t be necessary and advice can be given over email or telephone. This will put you in the best position when you go to lodge a planning application.

Read our section on Maintenance and guidance on repairs which will give further advice as to engaging the correct tradespeople and consultants to help you with your project.

Listed Building Consent and validation requirements

Do I need Listed Building Consent?

It is crucial that before any works are undertaken to a listed building, that the Conservation Officer is contacted to discuss the proposed works and whether they need consent. Works to a listed building without consent is a criminal offence. The offence stays with the building also, so even if works were undertaken by a previous owner, the offence and liability for the offence is passed to the current owner.

Generally any works to a listed building, which includes physical attachment to walls, removing of surfaces (plaster, floor coverings), taking down interior/ exterior walls, blocking up doorways, replacement of windows etc will require listed building consent.

Heritage Statements

A heritage statement is useful for understanding the harm caused to the significance of a Listed Building. Each Listed Building will have a set of heritage values contributing to their significance. Heritage Values have been developed by Historic England in their Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance 2008 and are defined as the following:-

• Historic Value: the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life can be connected through a place to the present;
• Aesthetic Value: the ways in which people draw sensory and intellectual stimulation from a place;
• Evidential Value: the potential of a place to yield evidence about past human activity; and
• Communal Value: the meanings of a place for people who relate to it, or for whom it figures in their collective experience or memory

How do I submit an application for listed building Consent?

Further information on submitting planning applications and listed building consent, including Building Consent are found on the Council’s Planning webpage.

Listed buildings ‘at risk’

The Heritage at Risk Register was developed by Historic England in 1999 and is an assessment of the condition of listed buildings to understand trends and whether any buildings are in such a poor state that they may be lost. Buildings that fall into an at risk status by lack of maintenance, dereliction, absentee owners, and even deliberate action. Due to resource implications, Historic England only undertakes this survey on Grade II* and Grade I listed buildings.

In Tamworth the 2017 Heritage at Risk Register shows a total of one building at risk however it is acknowledged that there may be additional Grade II buildings which are also at risk. The following buildings are on the Historic England Register:

• Deanery Wall, Lower Gungate;

How do I recommend something for listing?

The listing of buildings is undertaken by Historic England and applications can be made using the following link: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/apply-for-listing which provides guidance of the listing process.

Further help and advice

For further help and advice on listings, please contact developmentplan@tamworth.gov.uk. To find out more about how to maintain your building and selecting the right tradesperson, please see our webpage on Maintenance and guidance on repairs.