Can i make changes to a listed building?

Question

I am working on this site as a architectural student, proposing a scheme. However the site has a grade 2 listed building on it. I want to know wether i can make alterrations to it. e.g. alterrations to the facade, extend, connect another building to it, or even add contemporary structure to it? any advice or help will be much appreicated.

Answer 1

There are significant restrictions on what modifications that you are allowed to make to listed buildings, both interior and exterior. You MUST consult the the Buildings Control Officer at the local council for guidance before you touch anything.

Something as simple as changing the colour of exterior joinery may require planning permission. Even changes to the grounds where a listed building exists will require planning permission even if the building itself isn't touched.

Here are a couple of documents that list things that you need to be aware of. It's for the New Forest District Council but the guidance should be similar nation wide.

http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/listed_exteriors.pdf

http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/listed_interiors.pdf

Answer 2

I take it that you're in the UK. I don't think you're allowed to change anything about a listed building. Aren't there codes or something that you have to go by?

When I was visiting Somerset, they told us that some of the houses there had bricked up windows because back a long time ago you had to pay a tax depending upon how many windows you had, so people bricked them up so they wouldn't have to pay so much tax. Now those buildings are listed and we were told the owners could not un-brick the windows.