HEA have assisted a client who needed to know the extent of works undertaken, without consent, to a listed building they own.
It is always important to know all the variables when it comes to owning a listed building. You can often be faced with an enforcement notice if it comes to light that work completed on your property was undertaken without listed building consent. In this case, our client owns a grade II listed property in Larkfield, Kent, which had been let out over a number of years. Over that time, a number of internal alterations had been made to the property by the tenants without the required listed building consent.
Following a conversation with our heritage team, one of our consultants visited the property to ascertain the full extent of the works undertaken. This was based upon research of historical records and verbal history, together with an assessment of historic planning applications, to understand the extent of the changes that had been undertaken without listed building consent. Alterations to the property included new windows, door openings and stud walls together with the creation of an entirely new flat within the property, all without consent.
Following our team’s investigation, we were able to provide a full report outlining the extent of the works, together with an assessment of the level of harm to the significance of the property. We then provided advice on how to remedy the situation by advising that the tenant should regularise the works with a retrospective application or, alternatively, reinstate the original layout and features of the building.
Undertaking works to a listed building without consent is deemed to be a criminal offence and can be extremely costly. If you own a listed building and are unsure whether works to your property have listed building consent, HEA can help. To speak with one of our experienced team of planning and heritage consultants, please call us on 0808 164 1288 or email us at hello@hea-llp.com.
