Listed building repair

gavvallance

I am currently in the process of buying a grade II listed house. In the entrance hall there is a damp patch that has caused the wallpaper to peel off a bit. In normal circumstances, I would remove the wallpaper, the damaged plaster, treat and replaster giving sufficient drying time before repainting etc. - but as this is my first listed property, I am not sure if I will need council permission/advice just to carry out this simple repair. The council website is vague at best!. This would have no visual impact on the outside at all, and the only impact inside would be to make it look neater!. I'm just wondering if anyone with experienceof this kind of thing knows exactly how much input the council might want in terms of materials or techniques or even tradesmen used??

Dinah93

Hi, I'm a planning officer specalising in listed buildings and conservation so I have a little experience in the area :rolleyes: As I am sure you aware both the interior and exterior of a property is listed, however repairs are usually exempt from listed building consent provided you use materials to match existing and they are done in a sympathetic manner. As a rule applications are needed for substantial repairs or modernisation, extensions, or any alterations which significantly alter the historic fabric of the building (fancy way of saying anything that changes the look or character, this includes changing window materials or styles, roofing materials if not like for like, repointing, adding a satelite dish etc).

What grade is your property? If Grade II I would be staggered if your council required an application for the works, I assume there are no significant features such as cornicing that would be removed as part of the works.

A quick letter or email to the council should confirm this, always worth asking first and doing after with listed buildings, as if you do work without consent the ensuing process can be horribly drawn out and expensive.

Doozergirl

Listed Building consent only concerns structural changes in a Grade II listed building. Replastering the entire house even would be fine.

You'd only need to contact the council if you were wanting to knock walls, replace windows, roof etc.

gavvallance

thanks very much, I will probably drop them an email to cover my self, but hopefully it should be ok then!
(dinah - I might have to call on your help again one day!!)

Dinah93

Feel free to call on me anytime, just please can you state your area if you do, just I do not want to offer informal advice to someone who may later come to me formally at work as it could cause issues.

Somerset

Dinah93

I've also got a listed building question. Any chance I could ask you this in p.m. ? Will give you location so it doesn't conflict professionally

Dinah93

That's fine Somerset, go ahead.