A 'listed building' is a building, object or structure in the UK that has been considered as of national importance in terms of architectural or historic interest and included on a register called the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

Buildings are listed to help protect the physical evidence of our past, including buildings, which are valued and protected as a central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of identity. Historic buildings also add to the quality of our lives, being an important aspect of the character and appearance of our towns, villages, and countryside.

There are three listing grades:

- Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest

- Grade II* - Particularly important and more than special interest

- Grade II - Buildings of special interest, warranting every effort being made to preserve them (this is the most common)

If you live in a listed building it means you cannot demolish or alter the building in a way that changes its character without Listed Building Consent.

Read detailed guidance on Listed Building Consent

Work that requires building control approval will require a completion notice to be submitted to the building control body. The completion notice must be sent within five days of the work being completed, once submitted, the building control body can visit the site to complete a final inspection.

If the work meets the required standards they will issue a completion certificate.

Planning permission is not required to remove an internal chimney breast as the change does not impact the exterior of the house. Rules may differ if you are planning on removing the chimney stack, or if you are in a conservation area.

If you live in a listed building, then you will need to apply for listed building consent for any major changes to the building.

Building regulations approval will always apply when removing chimney breasts as they are part of the building’s structure. You should seek advice from a structural engineer who will provide drawings and calculations that can be submitted as part of your application.

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Categorising land and buildings according to their type and purpose is known as Use Classes.  

A 'Change of use' can be within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.

You will need planning permission for certain changes to the use of a property such as changing from a residential use to a business use. However, it is possible to change use between some classes without having to make an application for planning permission.

Depending on the specifics of any proposed change of use, including any building work associated with the proposal, an application for planning permission or prior approval may be required.

If the conservatory is not separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows, then it will lose its building regulations exempt status. As such it will be required to adhere to thermal efficiency rules and ventilation rules.

The new opening created from removal of the door will also need building regulations approval.

Find out more from our conservatories common project

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