A listed building is one that has been placed on statutory lists because of its special architectural or historical interest. The lists are compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and on advice from English Heritage. Norwich City Council is responsible for enforcing legislation on buildings that have been listed in Norwich.
Buildings are listed because they:
- are of architectural or historic interest
- have a close historical association with nationally important people or events
- illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history
- are part of an important example of planning.
Listed buildings are graded to show their relative importance:
- Grade I are of exceptional interest
- Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
- Grade II are of special interest and every effort should be made to preserve them
There are around 1500 listed buildings in Norwich on the national list.
Find out if your property in Norwich is on the list
Download the list: 
Listed buildings (40.9 Kb pdf)
For more detailed information, such as list descriptions*, please refer to: http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk/
*Please note that list descriptions do not necessarily contain everything that is considered to contribute to the special character of a listed building. Please ensure you contact a member of the urban design and conservation team if you intend to carry out any significant alterations or removal of historic fixtures and fittings.
For advice about making alterations to a listed building please contact the urban design and conservation team on 01603 212540 or email to dcconservation@norwich.gov.uk English Heritage will be contacted if they need to be involved.
When is listed building consent needed?
Listed building consent is needed before a building can be demolished or extended or altered in any way that would affect its character - either inside or out. This can include buildings and structures that surround the property – for instance garden walls or outbuildings.
Contact the urban design and conservation team for further advice before starting work. Work that may need consent includes:
- changing windows or doors
- putting in dormer windows or rooflights
- putting up satellite dishes and burglar alarms
- altering internal walls or sub-dividing rooms
- any alterations to features like fireplaces and cornicing.
In the first instance, contact planning services on 0344 980 3333 or email planning@norwich.gov.uk to find out if the proposal is likely to be accepted - this could save time and money.
The council deals with all listed building consent cases for Norwich but some cases might also be referred to English Heritage and to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
The process normally takes at least eight weeks from receipt of an application. If consent is refused there is six months to make an appeal.
The listed building consent form can be downloaded from the planning application forms page.
What happens if alterations are made without consent?
Carrying out unauthorised work to a listed building is a criminal offence. This could lead to a fine or prison sentence and there may be a request to change the building back to how it was.
How and when are buildings listed?
Most buildings in Norwich were listed during national surveys carried out in 1954, 1972 and 1986. Buildings can be added to the list by spot listing and national surveys carried out on particular types of building. An application can be made to English Heritage first for spot listing.
The council has a list of buildings considered to be of local interest where listed building consent is not required for alterations. This local listing will be taken into account with applications for planning permission and conservation area consent. Click here to view the local list for Norwich.
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