Working on Listed Buildings in Cambridge

What is a Listed Building and how can I tell if my property is Listed?

The listing system is designed to protect buildings of special architectural and historic importance, to ensure they can be preserved for future generations. If a building is listed, the vast majority of proposed alterations are controlled through the planning system.

Historic England manages the register of Listed buildings in England (the National Heritage List for England). The register can be searched to find out if your property is listed. Local authority websites contain details on other heritage constraints, such as ‘locally listed buildings’ and conservation areas.

Types of Listed Building

To reflect their relative special historic and architectural interest, the importance of each listed building is ‘graded’. Which ‘grading’ a property sits in to some extent dictates the level of protection that it is afforded.

Grade II buildings are of ‘special interest’. This is the most likely grade of listing for a homeowner, as according to Historic England, 91.7% of all listed buildings are in this class. Grade II* buildings are ‘particularly important buildings of more than special interest’ (5.8%). Grade I buildings are of ‘exceptional special interest’ (2.5%).

Within Cambridge, which has a particularly historic centre, there are around 67 Grade I, 47 Grade II* and 750 Grade II listed buildings.

What work can I do to a Listed Building?

Listing is not designed to prevent change (i.e. a preservation order), rather it means that listed building consent must be applied for - often alongside planning permission - in order to make any changes to the building which may affect its special interest.

Listed buildings can be extended, altered and even in rare circumstances demolished, all subject to planning guidance. Local authorities such as Cambridge City Council use listed building consent to make decisions that balance historic significance against other issues, such as the condition of a building. Historic England has comprehensive general guidance on making changes to a listed building on their website. As each property is unique, specific guidance is most useful, and engaging a heritage specialist such as Inclume will provide feedback on what is likely to be permissible.

Key considerations for proposals when working on a Listed Building:

• It is important to understand the existing structure by undertaking a historic building appraisal before deciding on the project strategy and design proposals.

• Proposals should be well designed to bring heritage benefits and minimise harm to the historic building. If the changes will cause any areas of minor harm, ensure these are balanced with improvements or restoration to historic elements.

• The historic plan form (i.e. how was the floor plan laid out historically) is important and should be retained where possible, or restored if not. If interventions are proposed within rooms (adding ensuite bathrooms to bedrooms, for example), where possible they should be designed in a way that keeps the historic plan form legible. Extensions should not dominate or distort this aspect of the building.

• Where structural alterations are proposed, it is best to retain profiles where the structure would have originally been positioned (i.e. walls should have a downstand and nibs to either side, if an opening is formed in historic fabric).

• Fitted joinery and kitchens should be designed around existing features such as mouldings, and be as reversible as possible.

• From the outset of the design, consider how best to integrate services within the scheme. Invasive alterations that harm historic features should be minimised or avoided altogether.

How does our team approach working on a Listed Building?

We enjoy the challenge of modernising and adapting listed buildings, through considered layout interventions, contemporary yet sensitive extensions and appropriate environmental improvements. Our approach revolves around understanding the importance of an existing building and carefully considering how changes can be stitched into the historic fabric while responding to the project brief. Our studio ethos is centred on creative, crafted, yet thoughtfully considered design.

More information on our expertise with listed and heritage buildings can be found here. We have a vast range of experience working on historic buildings within Cambridge and the surrounding towns and villages, including Babraham, Barrington, Barton, Bourn, Cottenham, Fen Ditton, Fulbourne, Grantchester, Harston, Kimbolton, Linton, Much Hadham, Oakington, Royston, Sawston, Swavesey, Trumpington, Waterbeach and Yaxley.

Do I need a Conservation Architect to work on a Listed Building?

While employing a Conservation Architect is not a requirement when working on a Listed Building, their experience of preserving and adapting historic structures is beneficial in helping clients navigate the regulatory challenges surrounding these special buildings and helps to ensure that any alterations are sensitively designed.

Specialists in the field of conservation can gain additional heritage qualifications, and these are certainly a factor to consider when selecting an architect to work on your listed building project. The Royal Institute of British Architects recognises that a Conservation Architect has in depth knowledge and experience of working with historic buildings, while Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) are recognised for their knowledge and experience in the care and conservation of historic buildings. 

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) supports member architects through training programmes, visits, events, online resources and a network of conservation professionals. Inclume holds qualifications as Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) and a RIBA Conservation Architect (CA).