Ad Hoc Surveys of Historic Buildings

One-off surveys of historic buildings are more expensive than area surveys such as the Second Survey or thematic surveys as they require similar research for one building to that required for group surveys. They can also be less accurate because a surveyor will not be as immersed in the history of an area as he would when considering a number of buildings. For these reasons we try to keep the number of such surveys to a minimum.

Surveys are  however useful in response to an emergency situation where a building is under threat or is likely to become so.

Often these surveys result from listing requests from the public, the voluntary sector, from other Departmental Officers, or from members of the advisory councils. We receive on average of 100 requests each year.

Following initial research and a risk assessment an average of 30 such cases are recorded in detail. The approach taken is set out in our document on The Listing Process (.PDF 37Kb) and Listing Process Flowchart (.PDF 34Kb)

If you want us to consider a building for listing please contact us explaining the reasons for your request, any perceived threat, and providing as much historical and other supporting information as you can. We will then acknowledge your request and send an architect to investigate.

Building Preservation Notices (BPNs) - Spot listing

BPNs allow us to temporarily list a building for a period of six months (sometimes referred to as 'spot listing') while surveys and consultations are carried out. The power can only be used if it appears to us that a building is of special architectural or historic interest; and is in danger of demolition or of alteration in such a way as to affect its character as a building of such interest.