How Does A Building Become Listed?

Architecture comes in all shapes and sizes, and many towns and cities are filled with a mix of buildings from new build houses to ancient historic buildings from a different era with a different set of design goals.

As examples of buildings from a particular period of design either get demolished or fall into disrepair, it becomes an ever-greater priority to preserve the surviving examples of that type of construction, as a living monument to our history.

This is the principle behind listed buildings; buildings noted for their special interest, either as architectural marvels or of historical importance.

Preserving these buildings is important, but it does not freeze them in time or stop them from changes. Listed building restoration is a common occurrence to bring old buildings back to their former glory.

Instead, it is about preserving what makes them special, and requiring special consideration and consent if you wish to make changes to the building that may ruin this.

Buildings can be nominated by anyone, although the main governing body behind listed buildings, Historic England, has certain priorities, such as preserving places of worship, improving the heritage of high streets and particularly striking and important buildings.

Typically any building built before 1700 as well as most buildings built before 1850 are likely to be considered as listed buildings, as well as some buildings after 1945.

The listing process has caused controversy in the past, particularly regarding brutalist buildings that are of architectural importance but are not universally seen as aesthetically pleasing or important.

Preston Bus Station is a major example of this, with the building set to be demolished in 2000 and only getting Grade II status after a 13-year campaign to prove its historical importance.