Listed Building Consent: A Guide to All You Need to Know

listed building consent extension project
(Image credit: Orme Architecture, photographer Marc le Galle)

Listed building consent is the permission required from a local planning authority before making changes that affect the character or appearance of a building that is statutorily listed as nationally important for its architectural or historic interest. 

The purpose is to legally protect the special interest of the building through the planning system. When considering whether to grant or refuse an application for consent, the planning authority must give particular attention to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and those features that make it special.

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Douglas Kent is a chartered building surveyor specialising in building conservation and is  technical and research director at the Society for the Protection of Ancient (SPAB), where he has worked since 2000.


He has held surveying roles in the private and public sectors, including the military. 


Douglas publishes and lectures regularly on building conservation and has contributed to various radio and television programmes. He has also renovated a listed property.