Anyone know about changes to grade II listed buildings? Is this idea for knocking through rooms a complete non-starter?

[bananamonkey]

Just wanted to sound this out to get an idea if this is completely off limits or is likely to be very difficult before we get into detail and start talking to the planning officer etc.

I am (hopefully) buying a 3-bed Victorian semi that is grade II listed - no experience of this before but as I understand changes to the outside are heavily restricted, which is fine, all part of the deal of a lovely period house etc. But I'm unclear on changes to the inside.

There is a long thin kitchen extension on the back (I presumed this is not original?) which is then attached to an outdoor loo and brick "shed/coal store" beyond that (see floor plan). The outside loo is wasted space and will never get used (tiny garden and downstairs loo already).

Ideally I'd like to be able to knock through the loo and maybe part of the shed to make a small pantry/utility but with a door through from the kitchen rather than outside access. Would this be a complete non-starter with listed building regulations? The walls and roof already exist so there's no "building" work required as such but I'm guessing we'd need damp course, utilities, ventilation, windows etc that could alter the appearance?

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks

I think the kitchen probably is original (most Victorian urban houses have a very similar layout). There don't seem to be any hard and fast rules when applying for consent to make alterations to a listed building - some conservation officers are very relaxed and others are very, very reluctant to allow any changes. Have a look on your LA website to see if they have a planning decisions database and look at applications that have been approved on similar houses to gauge how much of a fight you would have on your hands (the changes seem very minor to me but I'm not in charge).

We're in a Grade II, and the people before us did all manner of crap inside. Our planners don't mind at all what's done as long as they can't see it! They said they'd have a problem if we put up a Satellite dish as they'd be able to see it from the road, but actually, we've put it on the flat roof, set back a bit, and you have to make a huge effort to get a glimpse.

We had a meeting with the local Planning Officer when we were still in the Offer Accepted stage, about what we wanted to do, none of which was a problem except the dish.

Thanks both.

I thought the kitchen might be original but it had new windows so I was confused as the other windows are original. Will the planning officer talk to us if we've not got drawn plans or anything? I called one a few years ago and he wasn't willing to discuss it with me unless I submitted a proposal (this was new windows in a conservation area so different).

A listing covers all of the building equally, inside, outside, original, modern additions

You will need to apply for listed building consent (which is free) so just go for it.
No one can say yes or no without knowing why the building is listed, it's unusual for a bog standard Victorian terrace to be listed, do look up the list description, if it's as part of a particular street scene it'll be different to if it is because it's by an eminent architect for example

You need to understand what makes the building survival before you can judge what alterations would be allowed

Special not survival

Thanks again, we keep being told its Victorian but is not your typical Victorian terrace terrace (see photo). The rest of the street is identical but the surrounding area is a real mix so that may be it. Do you know where I can look up the list description?

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

Please let us know what the listing says!

Thanks neeps!

It doesn't tell me a lot, just the below (number changed, ours is number "3")

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Listing detail:
Nos. 3 and 4 GV II Pair of houses. Early C19 with later C19 alterations. Red brick with rendered plinth to No. 4; hipped slate roof; 2 brick gable end chimneys. 2 storeys and cellar; 4 first-floor windows. Central pair of 4-panelled doors have plain fanlights in recessed round-headed gauged brick arches. No. 3 has 16-pane sashes under flat gauged brick arches. No. 4 has later canted 2 storey bay window to right with large-paned sashes. Box cornice.

At least you now know it's not Victorian!

Try and speak to the Conservation Officer rather than the Planning Officer. It is likely that the Planning Officer would need to consult with them anyway, and certainly any formal application would rely on their input. They may have knowledge of the property already.
Also see if you can find any previous applications for the property (or the neighbour) on the Council website - they might give an indication of what has been applied for in the past.

Thanks Seeline, that should have been obvious to me - duh! 2 of the first 3 most recent applications have been to exactly this!