Listed buildings
A listed building is a building or structure of special architectural or historic interest.
It is included on a register called the 'Statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest' which is managed by English Heritage on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1840.
The criteria become tighter with time, so that post-1945 buildings have to be exceptionally important to be listed.
A building normally has to be over 30 years old to be eligible for listing.
- Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important - only 2.5 percent of listed buildings are Grade I
- Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest - 5.5 percent of listed buildings are Grade II*
- Grade II buildings are nationally important and of special interest - 92 percent of all listed buildings are in this class and it is the most likely grade of listing for a home owner
Listing is an identification stage where buildings are marked and celebrated as having exceptional architectural or historic special interest, before any planning stage which may decide a building's future.
Listing does not freeze a building in time, it simply means that listed building consent must be applied for in order to make any changes to that building which might affect its special interest.
Listed buildings can be altered, extended and sometimes even demolished within government planning guidance.
We use listed building consent to make decisions that balance the site's historic significance against other issues such as its function, condition or viability.
If you wish to alter, extend or demolish a listed building in a way that affects its character as a building of special interest, you must first obtain listed building consent.
Contact Planning Services for more information:
Planning Service Reception
Public Advice and Service Centre
20-26 The Liberty
Romford
RM1 3RL
planning@havering.gov.uk
Buildings of local heritage interest
Buildings of local heritage interest are recognised by the Borough as non-designated heritage assets, and are valued by the community for their contribution to the history, appearance, character and cultural role of Havering.
They are included in our local heritage list which is separate from the national statutory list of listed buildings.
We consulted on an updated local list in 2023 and took your suggestions for new heritage assets to be added to the list.
Further information and planning policy guidance for heritage assets in Havering is set out in the Heritage Supplementary Planning Document adopted by the Council in 2011.