Listed Buildings

Conservation refers to buildings, streets and areas of Broxbourne which are protected by the planning system because of their landscape, heritage, architectural, archaeological or biodiversity value.

Listed buildings

Listed Buildings are buildings or monuments which are recognised as being nationally important.  The list is maintained and updated by the secretary of state for culture, media and sport.

There are currently 259 listed buildings in Broxbourne which have been identified as having special architectural or historic interest.  This includes four Grade I which are buildings of exceptional interest and 254 buildings which are either classified as Grade II* (important buildings of more than special interest) or Grade II (buildings of special interest warranting every effort to preserve them).  There are also seven scheduled ancient monuments. A list of buildings by area (Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Goffs Oak, Waltham Cross and Theobalds, West Cheshunt and Hammond Street,  Hoddesdon and Wormley) can be viewed by selecting the links on the left hand side.

When a building is listed it is recognised as having special architectural or historic interest (or both) and its details become part of a public record.  More significantly, the building is immediately protected by law and any changes to it must first receive listed building consent from the Council.

This does not mean that the building is mothballed however.  What it does is ensure that any changes or alterations respect the character of the building and its surroundings and that the case for its preservation is fully taken into account when any redevelopment proposals are considered. 

If you need to carry out work to a listed building, you must fill out a Listed building planning application form.  The process for listed building consent is very similar to the normal planning application process and for most cases it will take eight weeks to process an application.

Advice is available to owners, developers and agents from the Council’s planning team who are available to discuss proposals prior to submitting a planning application form.  Additional guidance can be found in Planning policy statement 5: Planning for the historic environment.

You can also search the Heritage Gateway website for listed buildings but it is advisable to check with the planning department as well.  English Heritage also has further information on listed buildings.

For information on zero rated VAT building works, please contact HM Revenue and Customs.