Listed Buildings

When buildings are listed they are placed on statutory lists of buildings of 'special architectural or historic interest' in accordance with the Article 42 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

The lists of buildings of special architectural or historical interest in Northern Ireland exist to safeguard the built heritage and to promote its understanding. They are compiled and maintained by Environment and Heritage Service.

A common misconception is that only the outside of a building, or part of a building, is listed. In fact the whole building is listed including the interior and there are no exceptions to this, although some elements can be considered to be more important than others. The listing can often include other related freestanding items such as gates or gateposts.

Before compiling or amending a list Environment and Heritage Service consult with the Historic Buildings Council, an advisory body set up by statute in 1974. The Council is comprised of members from different walks of life, with a wide range of knowledge and experience of historic buildings. We also consult with the appropriate District Council.

The First Survey which concentrated on all buildings in Northern Ireland erected before 1914 was completed in 1993. Less than 2% met the criteria necessary to be included the statutory lists. A Second Survey of Northern Ireland's building stock has begun to re-assess current listings and to identify additional buildings and features worthy of protection.

Listing Historic Buildings

Why are certain building chosen and others not?

Listed buildings are selected with great care. The overall test for assessing a building's listability is whether it possesses 'special architectural or historic interest'.

The main criteria for listing buildings is as follows:

i. Age

The older and rarer a building is, the more likely it is to be listed as fewer examples remain. In Northern Ireland buildings built before 1830 in good original condition are usually listed. Later buildings are selected on the basis of their individual character and quality and the listing criteria becomes tighter. In line with the rest of the United Kingdom, Environment and Heritage Service now considers all buildings that are more than 30 years old for listing. Buildings less than 30 years old are rarely listed.

Each listed building will fall into one of the following categories:

a. All buildings pre 1830 that remain in a reasonably unaltered form

b. Buildings constructed between 1830 - 1935 of definite quality and character. Including the best works of principal architects

c. Buildings constructed between 1935 - 1965 outstanding buildings only. Including the very best works of principal architects.

ii. Architectural Interest

Architectural interest looks at attributes such as the style, proportion, ornamentation etc of the building and also any alterations to the building. Alterations may have added interest or similarly inappropriate alterations may have radically damaged a buildings architectural and historical worth.

iii. Historical Interest

Relates to the importance of the building in relation to an historic event or development. Some buildings will be of interest within the context of Northern Ireland or even in an International context. The buildings of architects who are recognised as being the leading exponents of their era will be given special attention. A transient association with owners, lodgers or tenants, however eminent, will not normally be considered important.

Why are listed buildings graded?

Listed buildings are graded to show their relative importance however all listed buildings are protected to the same extent. The grades are used within the grants system where higher levels of grant are available for higher grant buildings. The grading system also allows students of historic buildings to see which buildings are considered to be the most important. The definitions of the categories are as follows:

Grade A

Buildings of national importance including both outstanding grand buildings and the fine, little altered example of some important style or date.

Grade B+

Buildings that might have merited A status but for relatively minor detracting features such as impurities of design, or lower quality additions or alterations. Also buildings that stand out above the general mass of grade B1 buildings because of exceptional interiors or some other features.

Grade B1 and Grade B2

Buildings of local importance or good examples of some period of style. Some degree of alteration or imperfection may be acceptable.