Listed Buildings

Building Criteria

Information about Listed Buildings and advice on how to make changes to Listed Buildings.

A 'Listed Building' is a building, object or structure that has been judged to be of national historical or architectural interest. They include country houses, buildings designed by prominent architects, churches, public as well as private buildings, cottages, and historic monuments, such as milestones and village pumps.

Statutory Listed Buildings

The statutory list is compiled by English Heritage, often acting on suggestions by local authorities and local people. An entry in the list comprises the address of the building, the grade of listing and a description of the building to assist identification.
Statutory Listed Buildings are classified in grades to show their relative importance. Listed Building control is applied in the same way to all grades.  

• Grade I - Buildings of exceptional interest, representing about 2% of all listed buildings.
• Grade II* - Particularly important buildings of more than special interest representing about 4% of listed buildings.
• Grade II - Buildings of special interest, which warrant every effort being made to preserve them.

To check whether a building is on the statutory list and to see the individual entries (list descriptions) please visit English Heritage's Online Listed Buildings Register.

How are buildings listed?

Buildings are chosen against a set of national criteria. Most buildings already listed have been selected in the course of a national survey. The impetus for this survey began with the passing of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. The first systematic survey was carried out in 1966 and a comprehensive re-survey was undertaken in the mid 1980s. It was from this later survey that most buildings were added to the list.
Sometimes, buildings which have been overlooked or deemed unsuitable for inclusion may be added to the list by submission to English Heritage. Anyone can submit a building for inclusion in the list but the Council would welcome the opportunity to comment on any proposed submissions.
Submission of a building may be preceded by the Borough Council serving a Building Preservation Notice, which effectively lists a building immediately, for a period of up to 6 months, whilst a decision is made by English Heritage.

What criteria are used to select listed buildings?

The Basic Criterion for listing a building is that it must hold special architectural or historic interest: - 

• Architectural interest
  A building must be of importance in its architectural design, decoration or craftsmanship; special interest may also apply to nationally important examples of particular building types and techniques (e.g. buildings displaying technological innovation or virtuosity) and significant plan forms
  
• Historic interest
  A building must illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history and/or have close historical associations with nationally important people. There should normally be some quality of interest in the physical fabric of the building itself to justify the statutory protection afforded by listing
  Further detail on the Principles of Selection for listing buildings is set out in circular 01/2007 ‘Revisions to Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings’ which is available from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. 

What is the extent of listing?

Buildings are listed in their entirety both inside and out, regardless of the grade. There is no such thing as just a listed façade or particular part of a building. In addition, any object of structure fixed to the building, or included within the curtilage of the building but not attached to it may be included in the listing. Enquiries about the extent of listing should be made to the Planning and Conservation Team .

Locally Listed Buildings

Solihull Council has adopted a Local List of buildings of local historic or architectural interest. While it may not be appropriate for English Heritage to recognise these buildings nationally they have been recognised for their contribution to the local environment. The Council will seek to ensure that any development affecting a building contained on this list is carried out in a sensitive manner with respect to the character and appearance of the building in question. The list of locally listed buildings is attached;

• Locally Listed Buildings (PDF 4mb)

Enquiries about locally listed buildings should be made to the Planning and Conservation Team.

Email planning@solihull.gov.uk

Telephone 0121 704 8008