Service Description: The Conservation & Design Team are concerned with preserving and enhancing the built environment, dealing with listed buildings and Conservation Areas. This service was previously known as "Conservation & Design".
Also known as:- Conservation & Design, Conservation Areas, Historic Buildings, Listed Buildings
Answer: A Listed Building must not be demolished, extended or altered in any way that affects its character without having been granted Listed Building Consent. This is a control which the Council has in addition to any planning permission that may be required. Listed Building Consent is required for all works of alteration, extension or demolition whether inside or out. This includes small changes to individual windows, doors, interior walls, fireplaces and stairways even if they are not considered to be "original". This will also generally include garden walls, gates, porches, balconies, verandahs and ancillary buildings. The painting of the exterior may also require Listed Building Consent if it affects the building's character, as will the re-pointing or painting of brickwork. Sand blasting (or similar method) as a method of cleaning old timbers or brickwork also requires consent and is rarely permitted because of the irreversible damage which it invariably causes to the historic fabric. Even changes that may seem to be minor are likely to be considered as an alteration, extension of demolition in the context of Listed Buildings. It is a criminal offence to permit or undertake works to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without obtaining listed building consent or to undertake works not in accordance with approved plans. The penalties for this can be heavy - usually in the form of a fine up to a maximum of £20,000.00 or imprisonment up to six months. For further information and advice please contact the Conservation and Design Team, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QS; tel 01983 823552; or email [email protected] - Related Link