Listed buildings and buildings of local interest

The National Heritage List for England (NHLE) is the only official, up to date, register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England (listed buildings, scheduled monuments, protected wrecks, registered parks and gardens, and battlefields) and is available on the Historic England website.

Visit the Historic England website to search for listed buildings

View our interactive mapping online system to find a listed building in Telford and Wrekin

All buildings are listed in their entirety, front, back, inside and out. The designation also covers anything attached to the building, which could include internal fireplaces, stairs, floor tiles, window shutters, internal plaques, grilles or iron fittings on external walls.  These are just a few examples.

It also covers extensions, even if they were built only a few years ago, and any ‘curtilage structure’ built before 1948. Typical curtilage structures are outbuildings such as coach houses or coal stores, and boundary walls or railings. Works to these structures will therefore also need listed building consent.

Often the formal list description is very brief, particularly for older entries, where the purpose was only to identify the building and not to list every part of it that is of historic or architectural importance. Only the very recent listings will comprehensively describe and evaluate the building.

There are 3 grades of listed buildings:

• Grade I -  of exceptional interest
• Grade II* - of more than special interest
• Grade II - of special interest. 

The grades help us to identify the most important buildings and to which we need to consult with Historic England about. The grades do not affect how much of the building is covered by the listing or what works need consent.

Listed building consent will be required for any works that might affect its special historic or architectural interest and also any of the structures within its curtilage. 

This could include internal works such as altering a door, creating a new doorway, altering floors, removing or inserting a fireplace.

For external works, not just extensions, new windows or doors but also rainwater goods, chimneys, fixing solar panels, signs, CCTV, alarm boxes, redecoration in a different colour or material.

These are just a few examples and it does not mean that you cannot make any alterations, but that we have to be sure the special historic or architectural interest of the building is not harmed. Where there could be harm, we can often suggest alternative solutions or designs for your proposals.

Very minor repairs using the same materials and methods of construction should not normally need consent but more substantial repairs that could lead to unnecessary loss of historic material or a change in appearance might. This ensures we can keep the repairs to the minimum necessary and ensure the correct techniques are used. It is always best to check with us before carrying out any repair.

Details of how to apply for listed building consent can be found on the Planning Portal:

Visit the Planning Portal website to apply for listed building consent

An application for listed building consent will need to be accompanied by a heritage statement and we may need quite detailed information depending on the works, view the Heritage statements to find our what information must be covered. 

View information about pre-application advice if you would like advice before making a formal application.

Anyone can apply for a building to be listed to Historic England by completing an application form and providing the relevant information. Buildings are assessed by Historic England against a selection criteria for the relevant building type, visit the GOV.UK website to view the selection criteria guidance. 

Visit the Historic England website to apply for a building to be listed

Listing can take some time and Historic England will prioritise buildings that are under immediate threat. Visit the Historic England website for information about the fast track listing service

Visit the GOV.UK website to appeal a listed building consent decision

‘Building of Local Interest’ is a local classification, and the Register is maintained by Telford & Wrekin Council.  

Search our interactive mapping online system to find out if a building is on the local list

Visit the Shropshire Council website for further details of the buildings

Only the building is covered by the listing and only its external elevations. Unlike the national or 'statutory' listing, the interior of the building is not covered.

There are no special consents for local interest buildings or additional rules for planning permissions. Visit the Planning Portal to view the planning rules. The difference is that when planning permission is required the local planning authority must take into account the historic or architectural interest of the building in addition to all other planning considerations.

The Council's register of buildings of local interest was first compiled over 40 years ago. We have now completed a review of all of the buildings on the register against a set of new selection criteria to determine if they should still be included. We have also considered a number of nominations for other buildings to be added to the register following public consultation that was carried out early in 2021.

We are now consulting with the properties that would be affected by the proposed changes to the list.  Responses are required by 20 December 2022.

What is the criteria used to select buildings for the register of local interest buildings?

Completeness

Any building/structure to be considered for selection should usually retain a significant amount of its original or historic form, fabric and detail intact. The only exceptions will be buildings or structures that are mainly of archaeological interest. This does not mean that a derelict building cannot be included if it is in poor repair rather than having been significantly altered.

Heritage asset values

These criteria ensure that the building/structure classes as a 'heritage asset' according to national definitions:  

• architectural interest - a good example of a particular architectural style, age of building, use type or building technique
• artistic interest - this may be designed architectural features or the attractive materials and qualities of vernacular buildings
• historic interest - illustrative of a particular aspect of history or well documented association with a significant local person, event, industry or activity
• archaeological interest - further study of the building or structure could reveal new information about the past

Local heritage values

These criteria identify those buildings and structures that are of particular value and character to Telford and Wrekin:  

• social or community interest - important to the identity or memory of the local community
• group value - part of a distinctive group of buildings of character or having connections with other buildings of a similar type or style elsewhere in the Telford and Wrekin area
• landscape or streetscape value - a focal building or important in views within the wider area
• Telford and Wrekin identity - one of the following types of buildings which are particularly characteristics of the area:
  • a Duke of Sutherland cottage
  • non-conformist chapel or church, e.g. Wesleyan or Methodist
  • an original or early new town building
  • related to a significant local industry or rural activity e.g. mining, iron-working
  • a transport related structure e.g. associated with a canal or railway
  • a building from pre-industrial Telford and Wrekin dated before 1800.

To ensure we only select the most important and valuable buildings of the Telford and Wrekin area, we will usually expect the building to score highly in at least 5 of the above categories.

What type of building can be included on the register?

Anything that is a man-made structure fixed to the ground can be included. So in addition to houses, mills, banks, shops and barns, the list can also include mileposts, post boxes, memorials, lime kilns, canal locks, garden walls etc provided they meet the criteria.

Movable, below ground or natural features, or parts of a larger structure cannot be included, for example parks or gardens, woodland, railway carriages, benches, date stones, archaeological sites.

How can I nominate a building for inclusion on the register?

Please provide the information requested on the form to help us identify and assess your nominations against our adopted criteria.

Complete the online form to nominate a building for local interest

How can I comment on a building that is proposed to removed or added to the register?

Please use the same online form if you wish to make comments on the current condition and suitability for inclusion of a building that is now being proposed for inclusion or deletion from the register.

Complete the online form to comment on a listed building already on the register