Is Your Home a Listed Building? Here's What You Need to Know Before You Renovate
With so many characterful, historic homes across the UK, it's no surprise that some of them need a little updating to suit modern life. Whether it's a stone cottage in the countryside or a Georgian townhouse in the city, living in a listed building can be a joy, but it also comes with extra responsibilities, especially when it comes to making changes and adaptions.
At Arbor, we love working with historic buildings and carefully adapting them to meet today's standards for comfort, energy performance and family living, without losing the characteristics that make them special. But we also know that upgrading a listed home isn't always straightforward.
In this Journal entry, we take a closer look at what to expect if you're planning to renovate, retrofit or extend a listed property.
What is a Listed Building?
A 'listed' building is one that's been placed on the National Heritage List for England (or equivalent registers in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) because of its architectural or historic importance. There are three grades (Grade I, II* and II), but all listed buildings are legally protected. That means you'll need special consent to alter them, both inside and out.
Common Challenges with Listed Homes
When it comes to altering a listed property, you can't rely on standard planning permission alone. You'll likely need Listed Building Consent too—even for works that don't involve major construction, like internal refurbishments or energy upgrades.
Key considerations include:
Preserving original materials and features such as beams, fireplaces, sash windows or plasterwork.
Using traditional methods and sympathetic materials to match the existing fabric.
Working closely with conservation officers to ensure any intervention is justified, well-designed and respectful of the building's character.
Can You Retrofit a Listed Building?
Yes, carefully! Improving energy performance in older buildings is crucial for climate goals, but not all retrofit techniques are appropriate for heritage buildings. That's why we take a fabric-first, conservation-led approach, prioritising breathability, reversibility and minimal visual impact.
Upgrades might include:
Secondary glazing instead of replacing windows.
Natural insulation materials that allow the building to breathe.
Airtightness improvements in line with the building's existing structure.
Sensitive ventilation systems, such as decentralised MVHR units.
We believe that with the right strategy, listed buildings can be made warmer, healthier and more efficient—without compromising their history and character.
What About Extensions or Layout Changes?
It's possible to extend or reconfigure a listed building, but it requires careful design and thoughtful rationale. A successful scheme will respond to the building's setting, proportions and construction, while also meeting the needs of 21st-century living.
At Arbor, we've worked on everything from listed barn conversions to contemporary extensions that subtly contrast with the old, creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present. Every project is different, but collaboration with clients, local authorities, conservation experts and contractors is always key.
Thinking About Renovating a Listed Home?
If you're planning a retrofit, renovation or extension of a listed property, it pays to involve an experienced architect early on. We can help you navigate the planning process, liaise with conservation officers, and develop a design that balances heritage sensitivity with comfort, performance and sustainability.
Get in touch today, and we can help you understand more about:
The basics of listed building consent
Tips for heritage-led retrofit
What to expect during the design process