Converting a Listed Building
Being an owner of a listed building requires you to exercise commitment in its maintenance since you must adhere to the standards set by Historic England.
Moreover, if you want to make any significant alterations to the existing building, change the purpose for which you use the building or the land, or put up a new building, you must apply for Planning Permission with Listed Building Consent.
Listed buildings carry a lot of significance depending on the historical, cultural, economic or social associations, therefore, owning one is a significant commitment on your part.
Whenever you need to change any aspect of the building because you must seek Planning Permission with Listed Building Consent. Such measures ensure that the changes adhere to the criteria corresponding to its listed status.
Changing the Internal Layout
One of the most important characteristics of a building is its layout, which makes converting listed buildings a significant undertaking. If you plan on changing the internal design of a building, you must think carefully of the decision since the layout determines how rooms connect; their sizes, shapes as well as positions of doors, windows, and staircases.
If you have a listed building, you should seek professional advice before embarking on any changes. A house's layout has a story to tell and offers great history lessons regarding the initial condition of the house when built. It also reveals the changes it might have undergone over the years due to improvements in living standards and fashion. Some traditional plans popular in the past can be quite interesting today but only if they remain unchanged.
While some houses such as those on town terraces have standardised plans that incorporate two or three main rooms on every floor, others have individual layouts. Extensions introduced later on could change the character of the house while altering the original plan. Although in some instances it is crucial to retain the original layout, sometimes the alterations made could end up being the reason behind the significance of the house.