• OUR MUSEUMS
Bath Preservation Trust
  • Home
  • About the Bath Preservation Trust
  • Our Responses to Planning Applications & Public Consultations
  • Larger Sites and Land Use
  • Become a Member Today
  • Support Us and Donate
  • Museums and Education
  • What’s On

General Guidance

The maintenance of listed buildings can be complicated with regards as to what changes fall within permitted development rights. As stated by Historic England, “any works to alter, extend or demolish the building in a way that affects its character as a building of special interest require listed building consent from the local planning authority, whether planning permission is also needed or not.” How a building’s ‘special interest’ might be defined, however, remains a critical point of discussion amongst conservation professionals.

We have listed a variety of different publications and organisations to help you understand the planning process in relation to Grade II, Grade II*, or Grade I buildings, and how to categorise the nature of significance whether material or immaterial. There is also guidance in case your building is situated within a conservation area, and what details might need to be included within a planning application:

Bath Preservation Trust
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Building Conservation Directory
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE, The Countryside Charity)
The Georgian Group
Heritage Alliance
Historic England
National Heritage Training Group (NHTG)
Planning Portal
SAVE Britain's Heritage
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
UK Government
Victorian Society
20th Century Society
Bath Preservation Trust
  • Making Changes is BPT’s definitive guidance to the alteration or adaptation of historic buildings within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage site.
  • Warmer Bath is BPT’s award-winning guidance on sensitive energy efficiency retrofits to historic buildings.
  • You can access our Climate Emergency page for further resources on the installation of microrenewables and easy, cost-effective alterations to your home to reduce carbon emissions.
Bath & North East Somerset Council

The local council for the district of Bath and North East Somerset.

  • B&NES Council has provided a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ to help applicants decide whether their proposal requires Listed Building Consent.
  • The Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan is the Local Plan for B&NES Council, made up of the Placemaking Plan and District-wide Strategy, and informs all aspects of design and planning within the area, with particular reference to the quality of design and the protection of the historic and natural environment.
  • City of Bath World Heritage Site Setting provides an overview of of Bath’s World Heritage Site status.
  • B&NES Council offers design and conservation guidance about Commercial Signage and Tables and Chairs on the Highway within the city centre.
  • Supplementary Planning Guidance is provided on Archaeology within Bath and North East Somerset.

Building Conservation Directory

A company with an in-house publishing service, providing lists of conservation craftspeople and suppliers, and a wealth of useful articles.

  • The Building Conservation Directory offers a definitive guide to resources for the conservation and repair of the historic built environment.
  • The archive provides a vast amount of heritage case studies, with particularly helpful guidance on Conservation Principles and Planning Legislation and Guidance.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE, The Countryside Charity)

A national campaigning group for Green Belt and rural issues.

  • The CPRE has released its Green Belt Policy Position in which it emphasises greater consideration of how Green Belt land is used and managed, whether that be farming/forestry practices or increasing development pressures.
  • Beauty Still Betrayed is CPRE’s 2021 review of the status of AONBs across the UK, and recommendations for their enhancement.
  • The latest updates on the CPRE’s position on the Climate Emergency.

The Georgian Group

Campaigning group for 18th century architecture.

  • The Georgian Group offers tailored advice for the maintenance of various features within traditional Georgian properties.

Heritage Alliance

A national alliance of heritage bodies large and small (including a fortnightly Heritage Update; sign up on the site).

  • Heritage Alliance provides an online library of its Publications, covering recent and ongoing changes in heritage policy, funding, taxation, and wider planning matters such as housing.

Historic England

The public body that looks after England’s heritage with a wealth of specialist advice on everything from planning guidance to conservation principles.

  • Conservation Principles, Policies, and Guidance is Historic England’s fundamental document on the definition of heritage significance that should be referred to throughout the planning process.
  • Looking After Your Home offers guidance on all aspects of historic buildings, from maintenance, repairs, and planning guidance.
  • Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment enables a wider contextual approach to heritage management.
  • The Setting of Heritage Assets and Listed Buildings and Curtilage provide further information about what constitutes a listed building, and how its setting can contribute to its significance.
  • Valuing Places: Good Practice in Conservation Areas provides recommendations for design and maintenance within conservation areas.
  • Stopping the Rot is a helpful guide to enforcement action where a listed building is in a poor condition.
  • Historic England also offer specific advice for owners of Georgian and Victorian Terraced Housing, a common property type in Bath.

National Heritage Training Group (NHTG)

A voluntary organisation which promotes traditional and heritage building crafts.

  • NHTG provides Heritage Resources to inform retrofits, energy efficiency alterations, repair, and maintenance.
  • Specialised Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Guidance offers advice on appropriate material alterations and how to plan energy-efficiency retrofitting projects.

Planning Portal

A company aiming to make planning information and services simpler and more accessible for those involved in the process, including applicants, agents, or local authorities.

NOTE: This guidance is not exclusively tailored to the needs or restrictions of historic buildings. Standard building restrictions may vary from listed building restrictions, or restrictions in protected areas (conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, Green Belts, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, etc.).

  • Interactive House offers interactive guidance on planning regulations and restrictions on certain types of building works, with options for different housing types.

SAVE Britain's Heritage

A national campaigning group for heritage at risk.

  • Advice on Conservation Area Designation for increased protection of areas of distinctive character.
  • Advice on Getting a Building Spotlisted, to add a historic building or monument of particular national significance to the National List, particularly in the face of immediate demolition or significant modification.
  • Further recommendations on Legal Advice regarding a planning decision.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)

A national amenity society with expertise on the conservation and repair of heritage buildings.

  • The SPAB Advice Line is a free and confidential service open to anyone with a technical enquiry relating to old buildings, available during the week at 020 7456 0916.
  • Alterations and Extensions to Listed Buildings provides a variety of advice in response to proposed changes to listed buildings.
  • The Knowledge Base tackles a range of different topics including energy efficiency, maintenance of historic buildings, and planning legislation.
UK Government

The central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which provides the legal framework which underpins the planning system in England.

  • National Planning Policy Framework is the most up-to-date government framework informing planning principles; section 16 relates to the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.
  • Historic Environment is the UK Government’s advice on enhancing and conserving the historic environment, which incorporates heritage consent processes.

Victorian Society

A campaigning charity for 19th century and early 20th century architecture.

  • Advice on how to Research a Victorian House’s History with additional recommendations for maintenance and retrofits for Victorian homeowners.
  • Advice on Greening Your Victorian House without compromising on its distinctive appearance and character. This also includes a dedicated page on Windows and Double Glazing.
  • Care for Victorian Houses is a series of guidance booklets with specific focus on the unique characteristics of Victorian architecture and appropriate maintenance.

20th Century Society

A charity that campaigns for 20th century architecture.

  • Specific guidance on 20th century Conservation Areas and Churches is available.
  • The 20th Century Society’s Research Links can be used to investigate localised 20th century heritage.

About Us

  • About the Bath Preservation Trust
  • Committees
  • Trustees
  • Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Bath Matters
  • AGM and Annual Reviews
  • Annual Accounts

Latest News

  • World Heritage Day – The R’s of Sustainability Challenge
  • April Planning Update
  • UPCOMING EVENTS: Ask an Architect 23rd April 2022
  • March Planning Update
  • Happy World Book Day!

Contact Us

Bath Preservation Trust, No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR.
01225 338727
conservation@bptrust.org.uk
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Tripadvisor

Sign up for our campaigning and events newsletter

* = required field

powered by MailChimp!

Our Museums

  • No.1 Royal Crescent
  • Museum Of Bath Architecture
  • Beckford’s Tower
  • Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Registered in England No. 294789. Charity No. 203048

© Bath Preservation Trust, 2018