What happens if a listed building burns down

For repairs I did not think building regs were required. There is scope for relaxation and the Document clearly states that any energy efficiency measures on Listed Buildings should be implemented [or not] in liason with the Local Conservation Officer. The narrowest stairs I have known to comply had a width of mm, though this was for a domestic loft conversion. CommentAuthor ludite CommentTime May 25th I'm all for listed building status, however, there have been a number of buildings in our town which used to have it.

They were derilect for decades. Then, when it became obvious that the cost of the rebuild was too much, they 'mysteriously burned down'. Soon afterwards brand new buildings were erected on the sites. CommentAuthor biffvernon CommentTime May 25th It will have to be dealt with by English Heritage. It is likely that you will not be allowed to do anything other than a like for like repair, with nasty consequences if you don't. Try asking over on Period Property Forum where there are some experts on such matters, but do not take the Building Control Officer's word for anything without approval from EH in writing first.

The whole building, inside and out, and anything within the curtilage is listed, irrespective of any particular points in the listing.

Are you saying that Listed Buildings do not have to comply with Part L1b? Or that in some cases requirements can be relaxed? Each case is looked upon its merits, but with such a listed building the conservation of cultural heitage is to the fore. Perhaps you should answer every question here then, you being the root of all knowledge. CommentAuthor biffvernon CommentTime May 26th And in this case I pointed to another forum where I knew there were experts in theis particular field :.

You're welcome Biff, but in this case I believe you are at least partially wrong. A Conservation Officer cannot overule Building Control, and I don't see any posters on the other forum saying that they can.

What can happen, is that requirements can be requested to be relaxed - but it is the BCO's decision up until his interpretation is challenged in a court of law. CommentAuthor jaimito01 CommentTime May 26th On the booklet mentioned before I found that some local planning authorities have adopted a "development team" approach to give a single point of advice to applicants. What if the control and conservation officer do not agree? These now apply to all existing buildings.

The team strategy is a sensible one, but If they do not agree, then I believe the conservation officer will have to challenge the BCO's ruling through the courts. Are they for example, sufficiently trained and indemnified to enforce decisions on Parts A [Structure] and B [Fire]?

CommentAuthor biffvernon CommentTime May 26th edited. Come now Biff, Surely anyone who makes design decisions relating to Health and Safety, has a duty of care in common law, and will be responsible for their own actions?

CommentAuthor joe. Not after the comments poured by the BCO Which route would I be able to take if I do consider there is a lack of competence in the local authority to deal with certain issues? You could go for a Private Inspector rather than Local Authority. It was concerned that if the approved reconstruction was not implemented, enforcement procedures were the only remaining route to ensure that the harm caused to the building could be reversed.

The appellants argued that no breach of listed building control had taken place because they were not responsible for the fire. They could not be said to have deliberately planned or willingly caused to be executed any works for the demolition of a listed building in breach of section 7 of the Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act , he held.

Although the fire damage in this case was clearly not an accident, he reasoned, it had not been instigated by the appellants. No contravention of listed building control had occurred, he concluded.

Download the decision from Compass Online. Reinstatement is expensive and inconvenient. You are strongly advised to seek the advice of the Planning Services section before carrying out any works to the building.

Failure to follow correct procedures can delay or jeopardise the sale of the property. Owners of listed buildings are responsible for keeping their buildings in good repair. Owners are encouraged to regularly maintain their buildings as, in the long term, it should be the most cost-effective solution. Maintenance and repairs do not require consent if they are carried out on a straightforward replacement or repair basis.

Repairs should be carried out using materials and techniques which conserve the historic fabric. For example, damaged timber frame members should be repaired where possible, by piecing in, bracing or strapping rather than wholesale replacement of members. Timber frames should never be cleaned by a mechanical method, e. If an owner fails to keep a building in a reasonable state of repair the Council may, as a last resort, serve a Repairs Notice specifying the work to be carried out.

This will ensure the proper preservation of the building. If repair works are not carried out the Council also has powers to carry out repairs and charge the costs to the owners. In extreme cases the Council may purchase the building, with minimal compensation, and carry out the necessary work.

Many problems with buildings relate to lack of maintenance. Keeping your building in good repair will involve small amounts of expenditure over time rather than large expenditure when things go wrong. Yes, but only if the building is decaying very badly. Local authorities have two main powers to halt the deterioration of a listed building the serving of an urgent works notice or a repairs notice.

Conservation areas are designed to give some protection to local areas of interest, and usually contain some listed and some unlisted buildings. They are designated by local authorities. Substantial demolition within a conservation area requires consent. In addition, certain "permitted development rights" that apply to domestic buildings are reduced in conservation areas, so planning permission is needed for changes such as the installation of dormer windows on the front of a roof.

You will also need permission to lop or fell trees.