Owners of listed buildings need to be aware that works can require listed building consent even if planning permission is not required. Two recent appeal decisions for listed buildings in Edinburgh provide an illustration.
Key safe boxes
Listed building consent was refused for 11 key safe boxes installed on the doorway serving the building at 1 Upper Bow, a category C listed building:
Although there are shop fronts at ground floor level the entrance to the flats above is particularly attractive, with an ogee stone moulding and sculptured relief panel over the doorway. The key safe boxes on the southern side are unsightly and detract from the appearance of the doorway.
Internal works
Unlike planning permission, listed building consent can be required for internal works to a building.
For the category A listed building at 63 Great King Street. the appeal related to the formation of a new door opening in the rear wall of the dining room at the front of the property.
The Reporter held that this new opening would not be detrimental to the architectural integrity of the dining room and the original plan form of the property. It would not have any significant impacts on features of architectural or historic interest, especially having regard to the changes in the layout and usage of the property over the nearly 200 years of its occupation.
Comment
These decisions shows how the extra level of control that applies to listed buildings can lead to a refusal of permission (the key safe boxes) or the delay involved in challenging a refusal (the internal works).
Myprevious blog discusses other issues relating to listed buildings: protection of setting; maintenance; and appealing against a proposal to list a building.
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