What is a listed building?
We have around 1600 listed buildings in Ryedale. When a building is listed it means that it is felt to be special in some way. It is then protected and included in the government’s list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
Why are some buildings listed?
A building can be listed for many reasons:
- architectural interest - these include buildings that were built in a particular style or type, as well as ones that show important examples of decoration or craftsmanship
- historic interest - these include buildings that show us something important about our history
- technological innovation - these include buildings that were some of the first to use a new material or method (for example, cast iron or the early use of concrete)
- close historical associations - buildings that are associated with a particular historic event or person
- group value - buildings that together are important historically or architecturally (like a crescent or terrace)
Are older buildings more likely to be listed?
Yes. The older a building is (and the fewer surviving examples there are), the more likely it will be listed.
Usually, an old building will be listed if it was:
- built before 1700 (if it is still close to its original condition)
- built between 1700 and 1840
Sometimes, more modern buildings may be listed:
- some buildings built between 1840 and 1914 (we do not list as many of these as they are less rare)
- buildings that were built between 1914 and 1939 and are of high quality or historic interest
- a few outstanding buildings after 1939
How are listed buildings graded?
The grading shows the relative importance of a listed building:
- Grade I: These buildings are exceptional and are the most important. Only about 2% of listed buildings are Grade 1
- Grade II*: These are important buildings of more than ‘special interest’. Around 4% of listed buildings are Grade II
- Grade II: These are buildings of special interest, and we make every effort to preserve them
How do I find out if a building is listed?
To find out if a building is listed, we need:
- the address
- the parish
- if you want us to post you a copy of the listing description, we ask for a fee of £4.80
- the description provides the grade of the listing, as well as a brief description of the building’s special features. It does not provide a detailed record
What happens to a building if it is listed?
Once listed, the inside and outside of the building are protected by Planning law. This means you must apply to us for listed building consent if you want to:
- make any changes to the building, including replacing a window or painting the outside
- demolish any part of it, including things like removing or repairing a chimney stack
- before starting any work, you must contact our building conservation officer
How do I apply for a listed building consent?
- you must send us a listed building consent application form
- it can take about eight weeks, (this could be longer for Grade I and II* buildings)
- we recommend you apply long before you want to do any work on a listed building