Grade II listed - what do you think of this?

[lolly5]

Hi - we live in a grade II listed in West Sussex. Have never lived in one before this.
The problems come if you want to do anything or change anything.
If you have a sensible conservation officer then you'll probably be okay.
We needed a new roof - ours said would we be getting the Welsh slates from the same quarry as the originals ( 1904 ) ?!
We needed to make structural repairs to the metal balcony - he said we would need to take the balcony down, along with our neighbours either side, and if they didn't agree to moving out whilst the repairs were being done, we could enforce it through the courts !
Completely mad.
However, we got the new roof - Welsh slates, different quarry and repaired the balcony with different materials, but made it look the same and it was passed.
Don't do anything that requires planning permission unless you really have to and be very wary of double glazing etc.
Next door had to remove theirs, even though you couldn't see it from the outside!
We love our house, but we can't make any changes i.e. a velux window in the roof to improve the light in the loft, as they can be seen.
Good luck !

 

[Nemesis]

Oh dear - maybe some people shouldn't be allowed to buy listed buildings.

No, a Velux would not be very appropriate really.

But I despair.

 

[Flyfisher]

Anyone knowingly buying a listed property can hardly be upset about the need for LBC for any alterations, or being refused LBC for inappropriate alterations (although I can see how there can be arguments over the appropriateness of proposed alterations). If they can't live by the known rules they shouldn't buy a listed property. It's a bit like buying a house at the end of a runway and then complaining about aircraft noise!

Of course, having a listing forced upon their already-owned and unlisted property is a completely different matter.

 

[Nemesis]

Not really - the possibility is always there, as it's the law.

If a building fits the criteria it is the duty of the Secretary of State to add it to the national lists.

An owner will be notified and can make comments, but can of course be overridden if it is considered that the building is listable.

The lists are not complete and never to be added to.