Building regulations and historic buildings

Upgrading a listed building or a building that falls within a conservation area has many restrictions that you need to be aware of, especially concerning existing windows and doors, external walls and roofs.

You may not be allowed to change any of these in some cases, depending on the listing status and the limits put in place by the local conservation officer. You’ll normally have to apply for planning permission and listed buildings consent, as well as Building Regulations approval to do any work to a listed building.

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Building Regulations and Listed Buildings: While listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas are not exempt from building regulations, their special needs are recognized in some of the approved documents. For instance, Approved Document B on fire safety acknowledges that variations from standard provisions might be appropriate in historic buildings. Similarly, Approved Document C, focusing on site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture, provides specific advice for historic buildings, emphasizing the balance between conservation and improving resistance to contaminants and moisture.

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Read also 'Thermal insulation upgrades'.

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