For owners
Heritage planning advice for listed building owners.
From a single consent for new windows to a full renovation strategy, Vestige guides owners of listed buildings, conservation area homes, mews houses and historic flats through the consent process with senior consultants and clear, scoped proposals.
If you own a listed building or property in a London conservation area, almost any change to fabric or external appearance needs consent under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Vestige advises owners on what consent is required, what the heritage statement must address, and how to frame the proposal so the conservation officer can support it.
What kind of work do listed building owners typically need help with?
Pick the scenario closest to yours. Each links to the specialist service page with detailed scope and process.
Renovating a listed home
Internal layout changes, joinery, plasterwork, services upgrades, listed building consent is almost always required for works affecting historic fabric, even where no planning permission is needed.
Listed building consent →Altering a flat in a listed building
Most flats in listed terraces are themselves listed by curtilage. Removing walls, replacing windows or upgrading bathrooms typically needs LBC, and freeholder consent.
Flat alteration advice →A mews house in a conservation area
Mews properties combine sensitive frontages, restricted permitted development rights and frequent Article 4 directions. Roof extensions and rear works almost always need full planning permission.
Conservation area advice →A property in a conservation area
Designation reduces permitted development rights and brings stricter design control. We advise on what's achievable before you commission an architect.
Conservation area planning →Buying a listed property
Pre-acquisition due diligence, listing entry, planning history, enforcement risk, realistic scope for alteration. Done before exchange, not after.
Pre-purchase advice →Heritage statement or significance assessment
Almost every LBC application needs a heritage statement that engages directly with the listing entry, NPPF paragraphs 200 and 205–208, and the conservation officer's likely concerns.
Heritage statements →What do listed building owners ask most often?
Do I need listed building consent for internal alterations?
Yes, listed building consent applies to internal works that affect special interest, including removing walls, fireplaces, joinery and plasterwork. Unlike planning permission, there is no minor-works exemption.
Can I alter a listed building?
In most cases, yes, but with consent and proportionate justification. The statutory duty under section 16(2) of the 1990 Act requires special regard to preserving the building, but alteration is permitted where the works are justified against significance and any harm is outweighed by public benefit.
How long does listed building consent take?
Most applications are determined within 8 weeks. Complex schemes or those requiring Historic England consultation can take 13 weeks or longer. Pre-application engagement with the conservation officer often shortens determination.
Which Acts and policies govern works to a listed building?
The references below are the legal and policy framework Vestige works to on every owner instruction.
No-obligation quoteSenior consultant replyScoped per project48-hour response
New instruction
Get a heritage planning quote
Tell us about your listed building or conservation area property. A senior consultant will respond within 48 hours.
Senior consultant · Initial response within two working days · Scoped per project
Heritage projects delivered
Central London boroughs
Approval rate first time
Senior consultant response
Client Voices
What clients say about working with Vestige.
Vestige's heritage statement was the strongest part of our submission. Approved at first time of asking, the case officer specifically referenced the significance assessment.
Clear, commercially aware advice that helped us navigate a complex listed building consent without any drama. Senior input from start to finish.
Pre-app strategy that actually moved things forward. We had meaningful officer engagement within three weeks rather than three months.
Tactical, policy-grounded objection that the planning committee could not ignore. Senior input throughout.
Names abbreviated for client privacy · Full references on request
Begin a Conversation
Ready to talk through your project?
Tell us about the property, the local authority and a brief outline of the matter. A senior consultant will reply within 48 hours with a written, scoped proposal. There is no obligation.
Senior consultant · 48-hour response · No obligation