local heritage asset

[KeepCalmPlease]

We have had a letter saying the council wish to classify our house as a "local heritage asset". While not a listed building, it seems this status may have an implications in future planning applications. Does anyone have any experience of this designation and any implications? Thank you !

It's as it says - a local designation, so you wouldn't have to get Listed Building Consent for any alterations.
You would need to check the Council's Local Plan to see how such buildings are treated.
Under National Policy (NPPF) as a heritage asset it would have some protections.
I'm guessing any extensions would need to have regard to the specific elements that the Council consider worthy of the designation. The designation in itself wouldn't change what you can do without planning permission, but anything that does require PP would need to respect the status.

If you make any changes that need planning permission then the local authority will have to include the fact that it's a local heritage asset in it's decision making whether or not to give permission.

If you are doing anything that doesn't need planning permission in your area then, generally speaking, this makes no difference.

There are some areas where a whole range of different changes anyway will need planning permission, eg conservation areas etc. But there again, you will likely already know if you live in a conservation area or not.

Or maybe not, there are some unlikely conservation areas. For example in one city I'm aware of there is a row of 60 two bed terraced houses from the 1850s that were built by the local railway company to house its workers that is now a conservation area.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146274827#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thanks- we aren't in a conservation area no. There's nothing we wish to personally do to the house which would require planning permission, it's more for ease of future sale.

Have the Council told you why they want to make the designation?
They should have explained the implications as part of that.

Yes. Because of the age of the building (and other similar buildings being demolished) and the style (stated as neo gothic which was news to us!). The letter was very brief on implications simply saying this new status would be taken to account if planning permission was sought in the future.

Just say no.

It wasn't really a question "do you want to"? It was a letter saying we had been chosen to be locally heritage listed and details of how to appeal. To appeal you would need a good reason why.

I just purchased a house , NO one mentioned I just purchased a Local Non Designated Heritage Asset . I had plans of added a extension ,my solicitor/estate agent/previous owners and their solicitors never mentioned it was a LNDHA . I submitted plans 4 weeks before the sale completed with the agreement of all parties involved . I've now been told I cannot add a side extension (I was going to keep original features) . Im basically screwed as anyone I sell to wont be able to alter /add anything so the value has just dropped. The house was put on the list as a LNDHA in 2022 and the owner must have been told . Ill be taking legal advice and wasting time/money . Be warned.

@JustAsking4Me if it's not actually Listed, I suspect a decent architect with heritage experience would be able to come up with something acceptable (assuming it was refused for heritage reasons, rather than generally being unacceptable for privacy/impact on neighbours etc type reasons).
Even listed buildings can usually be extended.

I would probably try and find out what grounds you can appeal on.