you want to knock down all or part of a listed building (that is, a building that is on the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest approved by the Secretary of State); or

you want to alter or extend a listed building in a way that would affect its character.

You must apply for conservation area consent if:

you want to knock down a building that isn’t listed, but is in a conservation area, unless the Secretary of State has said that the building doesn’t need conservation area consent. The LPA will give you more information about this.

In England you can appeal to the Secretary of State if the LPA:

doesn’t give permission;

gives permission, but with conditions which you think are inappropriate or unreasonable; or

doesn’t give you a decision on your application within the time period laid down (normally eight weeks).

Most of the advice in this booklet also applies to listed building consent and conservation area consent appeals. However, you should bear in mind the following points.

When you ask for appeal forms, say whether your appeal is about listed building or conservation area consent, as the forms are different from those used in planning appeals.

Appeals are decided by an Inspector or the Secretary of State, depending on the proposal and the grade of the listed building involved.

The Inspector or the Secretary of State will usually decide to keep listed buildings as they are, unless there is a strong case to knock them down or alter them.

There will probably need to be a local inquiry if you want to knock down a listed building.

In your grounds of appeal, you should pay particular attention to the following.

Knocking down a listed building

How important is the building, by itself and in relation to other buildings?

What condition is it in? What is the cost of maintaining or repairing it?

How important is an alternative use for the site or the building?

Altering a listed building

Will the proposal keep as much as possible of the special interest of the building?

Extending a listed building

Is the extension in sympathy with the listed building? The scale of the extension, the materials and design are also important considerations.

Knocking down a building that isn’t listed, but is in a conservation area

What condition is it in? What is the cost of maintaining or repairing it?

How important is an alternative use for the site or the building?

What is the likely effect on the character and appearance of the building or the conservation area?

What are the proposals for redeveloping the site?