Listed buildings

The statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest is a national register. It contains more than 500,000 listed buildings in England that have been considered worthy of statutory protection. There is a wide variety of buildings on the list including houses, barns, bridges, public buildings and churches but also many smaller structures of interest such as walls, milestones, telephone boxes, war memorials and lamp columns. Anyone can ask English Heritage to consider a building for listing. You can find more details on the English Heritage website. The Borough has nearly 600 listed buildings. Their age and architectural style includes survivals from 1,500 years of our history. The oldest is Portchester Castle which was built by the Romans in the 3^rd century AD and the youngest are the modernist buildings of the Warsash Maritime Academy constructed in 1959. Period details such as traditional windows, historic doors, old Fareham chimney pots, ornate plasterwork, and decorative brickwork are all important to their special interest. The use of traditional materials and methods of construction such as hand-made bricks, clay roof tiles and lime mortar for pointing also contributes to the special interest of the listed buildings and to the local distinctiveness and character of the Borough's historic areas. We hold copies of the statutory list for the Borough and you can see them online at the Heritage Gateway website .

Why buildings are listed

Buildings are listed because of their:

Architectural interest - national important for the interest of their architectural design, decoration and craftsmanship.

Historic interest - this includes buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history.

Close historical association - with nationally important people or events.

Group value - especially where buildings are part of an important architectural or historic group or are a fine example of planning (such as squares, terraces and model villages).

Age and rarity - all buildings that survive in anything like their original condition from before 1700 are listed. Between 1700 and 1840 some selection is required after which they must possess definite quality and character. Twentieth century buildings must be of very special quality to be listed; some outstanding buildings less than 30 years old have been added if threatened. No buildings less than ten years old are included.

Grading

Listed buildings are graded to reflect their importance:

• Grade I - buildings are of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important
• Grade II* - buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest
• Grade II - buildings are nationally important and of special interest; 92% of all listed buildings are in this class.

Listed building consent

When a building is added to the statutory list, it benefits from special protection under the Planning (conservation areas and listed buildings) Act 1990. Listed building consent must be granted before it can be demolished or altered it in a way that would affect its special architectural or historic interest. An application must be made to us as the local planning authority. Listing does not necessarily mean that alterations or additions are not possible, but it does mean they must be carefully considered and justified. The special interest of a building may mean an extension or alteration is not possible.

Advice and guidance

It is a criminal offence to carry out work to a listed building without consent so it is important to contact us to check whether any proposed work is likely to require an application to be made. We can also offer guidance about repairs and alterations. Contact us by telephone 01329 236100 and ask for the Planning Department or email us at devcontrol@fareham.gov.uk.