Listed Building Specialist
Expert Grade II listed building contractor providing sympathetic repairs, lime mortar, heritage materials, and full consent compliance across East Sussex.
As a dedicated Grade II listed building specialist based in East Sussex, Dave Heath carries out sympathetic repairs, structural maintenance, and heritage restoration designed to preserve the unique historic character of your property. Working exclusively with traditional, historically appropriate materials and authentic craft methods, all structural interventions are executed to fully comply with Historic England standards and local authority conservation frameworks. This ensures your home is structurally protected for future generations without losing its architectural soul.
FAQs
Q1: What is a Grade II listed building? A: A Grade II listed building is one that Historic England considers to be of national importance and special interest. They make up about 92% of all listed buildings in England. Grade II means you need Listed Building Consent before carrying out most alterations, repairs using non-traditional materials, or any changes that affect the building's character. Here in East Sussex we have a huge number of them - Wealden timber frames, flint cottages, farmhouses - and I work on them regularly.
Q2: Do I need Listed Building Consent for repairs? A: It depends on the repair. Genuine like-for-like maintenance - replacing a broken tile with the same tile, patching render with the same material - usually does not require consent. But anything that changes the materials, the method, or the character of the building does. My strong advice is to check with your local planning authority before starting. I can help you understand what category your project falls into and work with your conservation officer.
Q3: What is the difference between Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II? A: Grade I is the highest level - buildings of exceptional interest, only about 2% of all listed buildings. Grade II* (pronounced 'Grade Two Star') covers particularly important buildings of more than special interest, roughly 6% of the total. Grade II is the most common and covers buildings of special interest. All three grades require Listed Building Consent for alterations. The controls are stricter the higher the grade.
Q4: What happens if I carry out unauthorised work on a listed building? A: It is a criminal offence under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. There is no time limit on prosecution and the courts can require you to reverse unauthorised work at your own cost. It can also affect your insurance and make the property harder to sell. I always ensure any work I carry out on listed buildings is fully consented. Do not take risks with this.
Q5: Can I add an extension to a Grade II listed building? A: Yes, but it requires Listed Building Consent and almost certainly full planning permission too. The extension must be sympathetic to the original building in scale, materials and design. That does not mean it has to look old - good modern architecture can sit comfortably alongside a listed building. It must just not harm its character. I work on listed building extensions regularly and can advise on what is likely to get consent.