ABSTRACT
Listed building consent will be required to carry out any works for the alteration, extension or demolition of a listed building in any manner ‘which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.’ It can be difficult to decide whether consent is needed for works which include repairs, painting, cleaning, advertisements, and works to buildings in the grounds of a listed building, but it is worth consulting the council if the architect is in doubt. Sometimes urgent work is needed for reasons of health and safety; the building may be about to collapse due to an accident or fire. There is an ecclesiastical exemption from the listed building application process for works to places of worship for certain denominations. The ecclesiastical exemption allows the needs of the ‘life and mission’ of the church to be considered and weighed against the needs to preserve the significant architectural and historic fabric of the place of worship.
