Listed Buildings

A listed building is a building, object or structure that has been judged to be of national historic or architectural interest. It is included on a register called the National Heritage List for England, drawn up by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the guidance of Historic England.

Buildings may be listed for their architectural design, or if they illustrate an important aspect of the nation’s history. The older a building is, and the fewer the surviving examples of its kind, the more likely it is to be listed.

Listed buildings are placed in one of three grades, which give an indication of their relative importance:

• Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest
• Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest
• Grade II buildings are of special interest

Listing is an important way in which the special characteristics of the country's built heritage are given protection within the planning system. Islington currently has around 4,500 listed buildings.

Altering a listed building

You may need to apply for Listed Building Consent if you would like to make any internal or external alterations to a listed building, particularly those which would affect its character or any historic fabric. If a building is listed it does not necessarily mean that it cannot be changed. However, it does mean that you will need to be able to justify the reasons for those changes, and show that the significance of the building is not being compromised.

It is a criminal offence to carry out works to a listed building without prior Listed Building Consent, even if you did not know that the building was listed. 

Find out if your building is listed by checking the National Heritage List for England.

If you would like advice on works to a listed building, the Council offers a paid pre-app service.