The list of buildings is a register recording every type of building, ranging from grand mansions and cathedrals to warehouses and vernacular architecture. Statutory listing of buildings did not begin in Northern Ireland until 1974 and the First Survey took over twenty years to complete.
Environment and Heritage Service are currently engaged in an ongoing Second Survey of all of Northern Irelands building stock for the purposes of updating and improving on the first list of buildings of special architectural/historic interest.
Surveyors have been employed to undertake the Second Survey fieldwork and historical research. Once all the relevant information has been gathered, Environment and Heritage Service architects evaluate the buildings. The Historic Buildings Council and District Councils are consulted on any amendments to the list prior to the owners and Planning Service being notified of buildings being put on or taken off the list. The lists are amended on a ward basis as the records are evaluated and of the 526 wards in Northern Ireland 20% have been second surveyed. The Northern Ireland Buildings Database enables you to access 31 of these wards with additional wards being added on a regular basis.