Listing?

[Captain P]

I want to add a fourth bedroom, increase floor space, and rectify some unsympathetic 1960s “improvements” to my Cinderella farmhouse. From outside it is an unremarkable stone building. And so it has never been noticed by local historians. But it contains hidden treasures. I now believe it started life as a thatched medieval open hall house. Possibly the original Manor House, whose location has been lost in the mists of time.

There are two pairs of surviving crucks, smoke blackened in the loft. And the walls inside the loft (now hidden by bedroom ceilings) have been painted duck egg blue, suggesting the bedrooms remained open to the rafters when they were created by introducing the chimney and ceilings to the ground floor rooms. There are other features, now obscured by chimneys and floors, that were clearly intended for display in the original open hall.

I don’t want to make any alterations that would adversely affect any surviving historic features, and I don’t want to do anything to harm the ambience or appearance of the building, quite the opposite. Fortunately I am not constrained by listed building bureaucracy, just the normal planning regulations, which are pain enough. But I know local historians would be very interested in the property. My worry is that if I share my findings, someone might propose that the building should be listed and my hoped for alterations become unaffordable or prohibited. Conservation Officers have a bad reputation.

Is there any upside to being listed, or should I keep quiet and count my blessings while progressing my plans?

 

[Mrs McG]

I can’t see any upside from a homeowner perspective but many from a local heritage one, so if I were in your position I’d quietly get on with the sympathetic / authentic changes you want and only then consider if you want to apply for listed status. Absolutely no point in listing it right now as that would only bake in the unsympathetic elements that currently exist.

 

[Stevers]

Sympathetic restoration in a conservation area here. I've retained everything that was original, but have changed out the tiled fireplaces for something more Victorian/Edwardian, and with PP removed the reinforced concrete staircase on the side. I built a Victorian style glazed porch - as permitted development(ish) - the CO saw it, commented on it, but did not object. Only when I've finished will I apply for listing mainly to protect the work I've done, as it only takes one idiot to ruin a period home. EH are not enthusiastic about mid-Victorian villas without the architect's name, but the CO will support my application.

 

[Captain P]

I can’t see any upside from a homeowner perspective but many from a local heritage one, so if I were in your position I’d quietly get on with the sympathetic / authentic changes you want and only then consider if you want to apply for listed status. Absolutely no point in listing it right now as that would only bake in the unsympathetic elements that currently exist.

Thank you. That’s helpful. I would have replied earlier but waited to see if there were any different opinions out there.

 

[Captain P]

Sympathetic restoration in a conservation area here. I've retained everything that was original, but have changed out the tiled fireplaces for something more Victorian/Edwardian, and with PP removed the reinforced concrete staircase on the side. I built a Victorian style glazed porch - as permitted development(ish) - the CO saw it, commented on it, but did not object. Only when I've finished will I apply for listing mainly to protect the work I've done, as it only takes one idiot to ruin a period home. EH are not enthusiastic about mid-Victorian villas without the architect's name, but the CO will support my application.

Thanks. I was waiting to see if any different opinions emerged. Glad to hear some COs are helpful!