Introduction
The Conservation Section is responsible for giving advice and information on the protection, enhancement and conservation of the historic built environment.
There are 401 listed buildings within the Borough, 232 in the urban area and 169 in the rural areas.
Listed Buildings
What is a Listed Building?
How are Listed Buildings chosen?
Listed Building Consent
What is a Listed Building?
A Listed Building is a building included in the Secretary of State's Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Interest. Only a small proportion of buildings in Britain (about 2.5%) are Listed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as being of Special Architectural and Historical Interest.
Listing is a statutory power via which historically or architecturally significant buildings, an irreplaceable part of our cultural heritage, are afforded protection from unsympathetic changes and unnecessary destruction.
How are Listed Buildings chosen?
All buildings built before 1700, which survive in anything like their original form, are listed, as are most built between 1700 and 1840. Between 1840 and 1914 the range of buildings listed becomes more selective. More recent buildings of a special character or that have special historical associations may also be listed. The special interest of a building is not always visible; for example, an important ancient timber framed house may be concealed by later brickwork or plaster.
A listed building can be a house, hall, bridge, telephone, kiosk, church, milestone, wall, tombstone, a street light and many other "buildings and structures".
Listed Buildings can be attributed either Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II status. The listing grade conferred upon a building gives an indication of the building's relative importance. For example, Grade I buildings are defined as being those of exceptional interest, Grade II* buildings are defined as being those of particular importance perhaps containing outstanding features and Grade II buildings are defined as buildings of special interest which warrant every effort being made to preserve them.
Listed Building Consent
The Secretary of State has the responsibility of compiling for all areas of the country, a list of buildings judged to be of "special architectural or historic interest". In many cases, Listed Buildings will be found in Conservation Areas. Development proposals involving Listed Buildings require careful consideration to ensure that the fabric and setting of the building is protected. Listed Building Consent is required for partial or complete demolition of a Listed Building and the alteration or extension which in any way affects the character of the building. For example, a change of materials (eg clay pantiles to concrete pantiles), the replacement of existing elements (eg windows, chimneys and doors), as well as structural changes to the interior or the removal of internal features, are likely to need consent. The term "building" in this context refers to the main building, any object or structure fixed to the building and any object or structure that has been within its curtilage since 1 July 1948. The curtilage also includes walls or other means of enclosure.
It should be noted that unauthorised works to a Listed Building may lead to prosecution to ensure that the building is returned to its previous condition and/or appearance.
Works of repair to a Listed Building in a like-for-like manner, routine maintainance and redecoration are unlikely to require Listed Building Consent. However, repairs that significantly alter the character of a Listed Building do require consent.
Building owners or contractors working on Listed Buildings should contact the Conservation Officer at Great Yarmouth Borough Council to determine whether or not Listed Building Consent would need to be gained for the intended work.
The Borough's Conservation Section are very pleased to give advice on the repair of Listed Buildings. Please telephone 01493 846195 or e-mail darren@great-yarmouth.gov.uk for further information.