Conservation planning

Conservation planning takes account of the needs of the historic environment and of the occupants of a building to plan development in line with legislation and both national and local guidelines. Listed buildings (grades I, II and II*) are subject to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 which governs development, alteration and renovation. The Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15) guidance on the development of listed buildings. Around 2% of the dwellings in England are listed.

Substantial work on a major listed building generally starts with a conservation plan. In the plan, we work with partners CAR to set out the current state of the building and comment on its use and any modifications that have taken place since its original construction.

The plan will address the materials used in construction and any later development, damage to the structure or fabric, and aspects of the building's use which will have an impact on how it will be developed or restored.