Buckinghamshire Council Heritage Service
The Buckinghamshire Council Heritage Service protects the historic environment in the county and provides specialist advice and guidance on heritage related matters.
Buckinghamshire is fortunate to have a rich and varied historic environment including:
- over 200 Conservation Areas
- nearly 5000 Listed Buildings
- 32 Registered Parks and Gardens
Our mission statement is 'to conserve, enhance, record and promote the historic environment of Buckinghamshire'.
Contact the Heritage Team
View common heritage topics or contact the Heritage Team about:
- listed buildings
- locally listed buildings
- work within conservation areas
Works that will need consent
The interior and exterior of a listed building are protected by legislation. This means that formal consents are required for all demolition, internal and external alterations, additions, and substantial repairs (including introducing new materials such as insulation and notable changes of colour to exterior paintwork - walls or windows). Historic England's guidance aims to clarify some of the grey areas and for works which do not require listed building consent. Alternatively, you can request additional clarification by using our Heritage Advice service.
Which work is considered 'substantial' and needs consent
Minor repairs and general maintenance do not normally need Listed Building Consent, such as:
- localised areas of repointing
- rendering or plasterwork
- replacing a lost roof tile or damaged brick
- thatch maintenance
- window repairs
This is only the case if repairs are carried out using traditional construction methods and using materials that match the existing materials used. The repairs must not affect the special interest and long-term preservation of the building.
This means that lime mortar (not cement) should be used and should match the existing mortar in colour and composition. Paintwork should be refreshed in a similar colour to the existing paint (breathable paints should be applied to traditional renders or solid wall structures).
Listed Building Consent is required where:
- a change of material is proposed (for example changing from metal rainwater goods to plastic)
- new materials will be added (such as new roofing membranes where none currently exists)
Secondary glazing
You will not need Listed Building Consent for secondary glazing.
However, secondary glazing should not prevent the function of, or require alteration to, existing shutters or window frames and all dividing bars should align with existing window bars and be practically invisible from the exterior of the building.
Checking that work done by previous owners was authorised
When buying a listed building, it's important to check that work done by previous owners was authorised because new owners take on responsibility for remediation (the putting right) of unlawful works.
Check if work on your property was done legally.
It's also possible get heritage advice on a property before you buy it. We can help you determine what issues may need to be resolved, what changes you might be able to make and whether consents will be required.
As a basic rule, any structure within the historic curtilage of a listed building that pre-dates 1948 may benefit from the same protection as the main listed building. Listed Building Consent may be required for certain works and alterations within the curtilage.
Curtilage listing can be a complex topic. View Historic England's guidance on curtilage listing.
If you're still uncertain about whether you need Listed Building Consent for work within the curtilage of a listed building, get heritage advice.
Sheds and outbuildings
While you may not need Listed Building Consent for non-curtilage listed structures, you may need other consent like planning permission.
Check if you need planning permission using our online tool.
Boundary treatments
While you may not need Listed Building Consent for non-curtilage listed structures, you are likely to need planning permission to change or alter boundary treatments. Check if you need planning permission using our online tool.
Historic walls, railings and green boundaries can contribute positively to the setting of listed buildings and conservation areas and should be maintained using appropriate traditional materials and methods. Generally, urbanising features such as close boarded fencing to front elevations should be avoided.
Hard landscaping
Landscaping works can positively or negatively impact the setting of listed buildings.
Large areas of new hard landscaping may require planning permission. You can use our online tool to check if you need planning permission.
Any hard landscaping which directly touches the walls of a listed building may also require Listed Building Consent.
To ensure the long-term preservation of the building, we advise to use:
- permeable surfaces
- french drains between the building and any area of hardstanding to prevent water damage and damp problems
You can get site-specific advice through our heritage advice service.
The benefits of applying for heritage advice
You can get advice about works:
- to Listed Buildings
- to Non-Designated Heritage Assets (Locally Listed Buildings)
- within a conservation area
Heritage and traditional construction methods present a wide variety of complex issues which can be difficult to research, understand and apply to your situation.
We offer options for written desk-based assessment, or site visit where we can discuss your ideas and follow up with a written response that can help you achieve successful consents.
Our customers tell us that this service is both useful and informative and can save time and money in the long term. It is also possible to apply for Heritage advice on a property before you buy it.
What works you will need permission for
Check if you need planning permission using our online tool.
We can offer heritage advice about specific matters but the Planning Team should be your first point of contact.
Rendering and cladding
You will need to apply for planning permission to change the surface finish or colour of your unlisted property within a conservation area.
Minor changes in shade of the same or very similar colour do not require planning permission.
Get advice on work within a conservation area
Get advice from the Planning Team for most conservation area enquiries.
The Heritage Team can provide technical advice on:
- repairs to traditionally constructed properties
- good design in conservation areas
- good design for locally listed buildings and proposals to other buildings and sites that may affect heritage assets
Solar panels
Listed buildings
It is rare that solar panels are allowed to be added to listed buildings as they are often visually intrusive and can harm historic roofing or adversely impact the setting.
Solar panels are often only allowed on listed buildings when they are:
- hidden in crown roof structures
- situated in a discrete location within the wider grounds where they do not negatively impact the setting of the building or its' curtilage structures
Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission will normally be needed for this kind of installation within the curtilage of a listed building.
Locally listed buildings and conservation areas
It is possible to install solar panels and heat pumps to non-listed buildings within conservation areas. However, solar panels and heat pumps should not be fitted on roof slopes facing the street or on elevations that can be viewed from important public realm locations.
Improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings
Historic England have produced advice on retrofit measures to historic buildings.
You can also get heritage advice for more site-specific help.
We have been engaging with the public on a project to create a county-wide List of Locally important buildings and sites that contribute positively to Buckinghamshire’s historic environment and special places.
The active project formally ended on 31 January 2024, but Locally Listed buildings and sites (also known as Non-Designated Heritage Assets) will continue to be an important consideration in Planning decisions.
View the Buckinghamshire Local Heritage List website for more information about locally listed buildings and how this might affect your planning rights.
You can also get heritage advice for more site-specific help.
A heritage statement will be needed to support your application for works:
- to a listed building
- to a locally listed building
- within a conservation area
View the supporting information you may need to provide alongside a planning application, including heritage statements.
Detail needed for a window application
Applications to replace windows in listed buildings often require more information than you might think. This is because they are important elements which contribute to the significance and appearance of the building.
Additional information will help us to assess your application swiftly. It will also provide clarity to any consented approval and help to avoid miscommunication with contractors and potential enforcement action for unlawful installations.
As part of an application to replace windows, you will need to provide:
- a photographed or drawn and numbered window schedule for the whole building including details of the approximate age and materials of the windows
- a condition report for the windows including images showing why they need replacing
- written proposals for the treatment of each window
You will also need to provide the following drawings for both the existing and proposed windows:
- 1:20 elevations (could be provided by window type for example if there are multiple very similar units at roughly the same size, a typical example would do)
- 1:5 or 1:2 detail cross sections– these should show how the existing window fits within the window reveal and relates to the sill - details should show how openers relate to the window frame, glazing type, glazing bar profiles and details of any other mouldings
For any other enquiries, contact the Heritage Team using their online contact form.