Conservation and listed buildings

 
 

Listed buildings

The built heritage of Westminster; its historic buildings, monuments and street plan, are a unique and irreplaceable asset.  One of the methods used to conserve important elements of the historic environment is the listing of buildings of special historic or architectural interest.  This list is produced by English Heritage, and contains around 11, 000 buildings and other structures in Westminster.

Buildings may be listed because of their historical importance, their quality of design, an association with a historic figure or event, or their contribution to a broader townscape or ensemble. When a building is listed it is given a grade to reflect its relative importance.

  • Grade 1 - buildings of exceptional interest
  • Grade II* - particularly important buildings of more than special interest
  • Grade II - buildings of special interest

Find out if a property is listed and details of the grade using the online Listed Building Map.

Images of England provides a description of England's listed buildings and Photographs.  Please however note this is not an fully up-to-date record of all listed buildings.

Changes to a Listed Building

You will need the consent of the City Council to demolish all or part of a listed building, and for any alteration – internal or external – that would affect its architectural or historic interest.

The need for listed building consent is different from planning permission, but the process is very similar. It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without consent from the council – even if you did no know that the building was listed.

Listed Building Consent Form

Further Information

The City Council has produced two leaflets which contain useful information about the listing of buildings.