Listed Building Consent

[vicky whitworth]

Hello,
I'm after some advice please. Would listed building consent be necessary to cut a 'loft hatch' through an old ceiling in a Grade II* building? There is a view that it is needed in order to ease access to the loft space to install a fire alarm system in the attic but it would cut through a lathe and plaster ceiling, and I don' think it should be done. If consent is needed then that would help my case.
Many thanks, Vicky

 

[Edward Ian]

I take it that you don't actually want to take this course of action (cutting into the ceiling)?
If so, then whether you strictly need LBC or not, I suggest that you seek the views of the conservation officer anyway. Better to be sure than sorry, and he/she will probable side with "no change" if that is what you want :wink:

 

[vicky whitworth]

Ah, well that's the rub. I don't approve of the proposed approach but it's not my building. I just work there but if LBC is needed I'll have more clout when I call it in.

 

[Edward Ian]

Then ask the conservation officer, or better "anonymously" tip off the conservation officer that illegal works might be about to take place.

 

[CliffordPope]

Just hope ther's never a fire - you'd feel a bit silly if it burned to the ground just for lack of a fire alarm.

 

[Flyfisher]

. . . There is a view that it is needed in order to ease access to the loft space to install a fire alarm system in the attic . . .

'Ease' is rather different to 'enable' and makes it sound as if access is possible but not as easy as if a great big hole was cut in the ceiling! If that's true then perhaps a discussion with a more sensitve installer might be in order?

 

[george2019]

Probably needed but also very likely to be granted if it's a bog standard ceiling and a safety improvement.

 

[Pennyviz]

Definitely needed IMHO as not a repair.

May or may not be granted depending on probably a million factors

Penny

 

[88v8]

I made a hatch into one of our attics, through a virgin ceiling, where no one had been for perhaps 200 years.
But Mr Woodworm had been, so much so that two of the rafters had collapsed, hidden under the thatch.

If there is no access at all, then I think having a look-see is a good idea.
If it's a matter of making an easier access for a fat electrician, then not.

In my opinion, the hatch should fit in. None of this 'of its time' copout.

Ivor

 

[MatthewC]

. . . There is a view that it is needed in order to ease access to the loft space to install a fire alarm system in the attic . . .

'Ease' is rather different to 'enable' and makes it sound as if access is possible but not as easy as if a great big hole was cut in the ceiling! If that's true then perhaps a discussion with a more sensitve installer might be in order?

Or a thinner installer!