Prepare a planning application

Listed Building Consent

When to use a Listed Building Consent application

You usually need Listed Building Consent for any works to a listed building.

This includes:

• changes or repairs that include the removal of historic fabric, or changes to the building's character or layout
• internal changes such as the removal of historic doors or fireplaces
• the replacement of external doors or windows

You may also need Listed Building Consent for any works to separate buildings within the grounds of a listed building.

If you're applying for a Lawful Development Certificate or making a planning application for works to a listed building, then you also need to make an application for Listed Building Consent.

Find out more information about listed buildings in Southwark. 

Check if your property is listed

To check this, you should:

1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Click on the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the Listed building's Grade I, Grade II, and Grade II Star options
4. Enter your address 

When you are ready, you can submit your planning application on the Planning Portal.

Apply for planning permission 

Validation checklist for Listed Building Consent applications

Required for all Listed Building Consent applications

• Application form

  What you need to do

  Provide your contact information and details about the works you want to do.

  Make sure you:

  • use the 'Listed Building Consent' application form from the Planning Portal
  • fill in all relevant parts of the form
  • sign and date the application form before you submit it

  If you're not able to submit your application online, download copies of all application forms from the Planning Portal website.

  Why we need this

  This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended).

• Ownership certificate

  What you need to do

  Fill in the certificate to confirm who owns the application site. The certificate information is included as a section of the application form. You must complete and submit either Certificate A, B, C or D with your application form and also submit the relevant Notice type if required.

  There are four certificate types and two Notice types:

  • Certificate A - Sole ownership and no agricultural tenants
  • Certificate B - either you're not the owner but know who is or you are not the sole owner but you know who the other owners / agricultural tenants are; you need to also complete Notice 1
  • Certificate C - either you're not the owner but you know some of the other owners / agricultural tenants or you're an owner but only know some of the other owners / agricultural tenants; you need to also complete Notices 1 and 2
  • Certificate D - either you're not the owner and do not know the owner(s) or you're an owner but do not know any other owner(s) / agricultural tenant(s); you need also to complete Notice 2

  Download Notice 1 ^{(PDF, 127kb)}

  Download Notice 2 ^{(PDF, 127kb)}

  Why we need this

  This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended).

• Location Plan

  What you need to do

  Submit a plan of the site showing the application site in relation to the surrounding area.

  Make sure you:

  • scale plans at 1:1250 or 1:2500 and include a scale bar on each plan, on A4 or A3 paper size 
  • use an up-to-date base map
  • show roads or buildings on land adjoining the application site (labelling at least two roads)
  • outline the application site clearly in red; this must include all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
  • outline any additional land under the ownership of the applicant in blue if it immediately adjoins the proposed area

  Refer to how to prepare a location plan.

  Why we need this

  This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended).

• Site Plan

  What you need to do

  Submit a plan of the site showing the development in relation to the boundaries and existing on-site buildings.

  Make sure you:

  • scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 and include a scale bar on each plan, on A4 or A3 paper size
  • include an arrow to show the direction of north
  • clearly label and number all immediately adjoining buildings and all main roads surrounding the site
  • outline the application site clearly in red. This must include all land required for access to the site from a public highway, visibility splays, landscaping, car parking and open areas around buildings
  • outline in blue any other land within the applicant's control that is close to or adjoining the application site

  Refer to how to prepare a site plan.

  You can use an external service to buy a site plan.

  Why we need this

  This is a national requirement set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.

• Existing and proposed drawings

  What you need to do 

  You must submit existing and proposed floor plans, elevations, and cross-section drawings.

  Make sure you:

  • submit an individual floor plan for each floor of the building
  • scale plans at 1:100 or 1:50 on A4 and A3 paper size 
  • include a scale bar on each plan
  • include a unique reference number on each drawing
  • show any proposed buildings (including household extensions and outbuildings) in context with neighbouring buildings
  • include written dimensions, especially for proposed extensions
  • include details of materials used in the development

  Why we need this

  This requirement is set out in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) 2015 (as amended).

• Heritage Statement

  What you need to do

  Submit an assessment of the significance of heritage assets and their settings affected by the development. Assess the impacts that the development might have on these assets.

  Refer to the council's Heritage SPD for guidance and details of what you should include in the statement.

  Why we need this

  To ensure that heritage assets are protected and enhanced by development.

  Relevant planning policy:

  • London Plan 2021 Policies D1, D2, D4, HC1, and HC2
  • Southwark Plan 2022  policies P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P20, P21, P23, P24, P25, and P26
• Fire Safety Strategy or Reasonable Exception Form

  What you need to do

  Show how the proposed development meets the highest fire safety standards as set out in the London Plan Policy D12 (A).

  If the proposed works would not alter the fire safety of the building (see below), you must explain this in a Reasonable Exception Form.

  Make sure you:

  • submit the Fire Safety Strategy as a stand-alone document and ensure that it includes these details:
    • name and title of who wrote and approved the planning application's fire safety information, with a clear statement describing their competence, including relevant qualifications and experience
    • information under each part of London Plan Policy D12 (A); this should be specific and relevant to the proposed development
    • the relevant safety design codes and standards and how these ensure the proposed development achieves the highest standards of fire safety. This should be proportionate to the size and nature of the development 
  • submit a Reasonable Exception Form if the application:  
    • creates no additional dwellings or commercial units AND
    • does not provide a new lift AND
    • does not change external materials AND
    • does not change internal or external communal areas that support the evacuation strategy for the property

  Refer to further guidance by the Greater London Authority on the requirements of a fire safety strategy.

  Download a Reasonable Exception Form template ^{(docx, 18kb)}.

  Why we need it

  To ensure the highest fire safety standards are met for all development in the borough.

  Relevant planning policy:

  • London Plan 2021 Policy D12 (A)

Required for some Listed Building Consent applications based on the development type

• Photographic condition study of the existing windows and doors

  What you need to do

  Submit detailed photographs of the existing windows and doors of the property. These should include details of where within the property the photo was taken.

  When you need to submit this

  You need to submit a Photographic condition study for all Listed Building Consent applications to replace windows and doors.

  Why we need this

  To ensure that heritage assets are protected and enhanced by development.

  Relevant planning policy:

  • London Plan 2021 Policies D1, D2, D4, HC1, and HC2
  • Southwark Plan 2022  policies P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P20, P21, P23, P24, P25, and P26
• Detailed schedule of works and specifications

  What you need to do

  Submit a detailed schedule of works and provide specifications for all changes proposed to the property.

  When you need to submit this

  You need to submit a Detailed schedule of works and specifications for all Listed Building Applications for extensive restoration or alteration.

  Why we need this

  To ensure that heritage assets are protected and enhanced by development.

  Relevant planning policy:

  • London Plan 2021 Policies D1, D2, D4, HC1, and HC2
  • Southwark Plan 2022  policies P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P20, P21, P23, P24, P25, and P26

Page last updated: 02 April 2024