North West’s listed buildings to be renamed under new legislation, reports Mace & Jones

Published: 14th May 2008

The North West's listed buildings are to be renamed as registered heritage assets under changes proposed in the new draft Heritage Protection Bill.

Mace & Jones Head of Real Estate Karl Jackson said the legislation will see the term "listed building" scrapped in England at least.

"Though it has survived for 40 years, the term "listing" is to be abolished in the interests of simplifying the two separate systems that currently have listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments," he said. "The new system will have the same Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II designations, but buildings and monuments alike will be called registered heritage assets. The Bill, which is to be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows, will also set up a right of appeal for the first time for property owners who oppose their property being included in the Heritage Register."

Mr Jackson said those who live in or own one of the 370,000 properties listed for their historical or architectural merit will have to get used to living in a "registered heritage asset."

"The changes will also enable landscapes, for example Capability Brown parkland or farmed landscapes in national parks, to be registered as "heritage assets" for the first time," he said. "It will also set up a system for giving "interim protection" to a building or monument which may be under threat of demolition while officials from English Heritage decide whether to register it or not. Marine heritage categories will be broadened, so that crashed WW2 aircraft can be included as well as shipwrecks."

Mr Jackson said any move to simplify the system would be welcomed.

"The system does need reform as it has become over complex as it has grown in the last hundred years," he said. "There remains a huge amount of law covering historic buildings, and it is vital to take professional advice to ensure any renovations are being done correctly. This is particularly where historic buildings are being converted into offices and apartments. They must all comply with planning, health & safety, fire and access legislation as well as ensuring the renovations are in keeping with the building."

Background

Listed buildings are graded to show their relative importance:

• Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest;
• Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest;
• Grade II are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

As a general guideline buildings should be listed if they fall into the following categories:

• Any building dated before 1700 should be listed;
• Most buildings dated between 1700 and 1840 may be listed;
• Buildings of evident quality dated between 1840 and 1914 especially those by principal architects;
• Important buildings of high quality between 1914 and 1939.
• Any building of special historical interest