Grade II listing - is it a royal PITA or not an issue?

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We've spotted a house for sale. It's very nice and looks in good condition (not viewed yet, based on outside/ Rightmove) but has a Grade II listing.

I understand this means that the house can't be changed substantially without approval, but other than that, what does it mean in practice?

Would love to hear from anyone who might know.

You will need planning permission for any alterations. Worth getting hold of the. Details of the listing -sometimes more modern bits that have been added can end up being listed as the property is listed as a whole, whenever the listing gs done. Depends a lot on what our local council planning people are like. There was one woman in ours who was an aggressive nightmare, but I think she's one now. Within reason, most ounces will allow you to do sensible stuff but be prepared for extra expense (architect's drawings etc) and loads of paperwork. If you like the house and don't want to completely transform it, it probably on't be that big a deal.

Argh, auto-correct and didn't preview before posting, hope it makes one kind of sense...

As said above, if you don't intend making alterations then it really shouldn't be an issue.

If you want to make alterations you have to apply for Listed Building Consent. It is a separate consent and is still required even when Planning Permission isn't. Always check with the Conservation Officer.

Bear in mind the whole of the building is listed, including later additions and the interior. Any garages/sheds/fences/walls in the garden are likely to be require consent as well, even if not specifically included, as they affect the setting of the listed building.

Making the assumption that you're in England, you can get the Listing Description from English Heritage here. It will tell you when the house was listed, describe the important features, whether it's listed by itself or in a group and other info.

The English Heritage advice pages for owners of listed buildings are quite good and are found here.

Abzs, we are in England - will have a look.

So, it seems it's not really a big deal if we don't intend to alter it, but that when it needs the usual maintenance-type stuff it may involve a bit of extra cost and paperwork, basically?

see this description here:
www.spab.org.uk/publications/look-before-you-leap/

Thanks tricot, that link was really helpful.

Absz, I read the listing reasons page, thanks for the tip.

I actually feel like I don't want to take responsibility for keeping the house as beautiful as it is now, so maybe it's not going to be right for us. I'm off to speak to DH about it, thank you all.

We moved into our listed cob walled thatched cottage 15 years ago. We have since then been given permission to demolish an external lean-to and replace with an extension, put up a conservatory and built a two-storey extension on the side.

We had certain restrictions on each part of the build eg. had to have bespoke windows, only allowed single glazing (that was really annoying), conservation rooflights (very expensive), had to submit the colour of tiles for approval and go with the colour THEY liked best. And quite a few more - you have to be prepared to negotiate and compromise.

Internally we have swapped a bathroom and bedroom over, and had permission to open doors into extension. But had to put in second staircase, and was not allowed to build two storey extension at back.

Hope that gives some idea of the pros and cons. Probably best to check with the local listed buildings people prior to building and check out existing permitted development.

Also have to tie it into the regular planning department and building regs department.

We have found that it can depend on who the local listed buildings officer is and what there own personal view is - it can be frustrating but is the price of owning a listed building. But as you can see from above we have been allowed to do loads.

Moderate PITA. Check when it was listed, ask current owners how much they have done and whether plans etc are on file with planners and how sadistic local conservation officers are.

I don't mind the old bits of ours being listed. It's the conservation officer getting emotional about bits which date from the mid 80's (immediately before listing) which makes me see red.

Thanks all - this has been more helpful than you can imagine. Having now removed my rose-tinted specs, I've let DH know that I'm OK with letting this one go. (By way of background - I was imagining myself drifting around a pretty garden placing freshly-cut roses in a trug while wearing a floaty dress and floppy hat, etc., while DH's wallet was freaked by the crack running through several metres of blockwork above the porch!)