Historic buildings definition
Approved document E: Resistance to the passage of sound, defines ‘historic buildings’ as:
- Listed buildings.
- Buildings situated in conservation areas.
- Buildings which are of architectural and historical interest and which are referred to as a material consideration in a local authority’s development plan.
- Buildings of architectural and historical interest within national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and world heritage sites.
- Vernacular buildings of traditional form and construction.
An historic building is generally considered to be a building or structure that has some kind of 'historic value', i.e. people in the present are connected to it via past events in some way. This value warrants it being afforded consideration in planning decisions that have to be made concerning it.
A building may hold special historic interest because of its importance with respect to a particular historical event or period, or be associated with nationally important people. Alternatively, there might be special historic interest in the building itself, i.e. its construction methods, design, architectural significance, and so on.
Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings, Application of Part L of the Building Regulations to Historic and Traditionally Constructed Buildings, published by Historic England in 2017, suggests that:
‘For the purposes of the interpretation of the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations, Approved Documents L1B and L2B, and this series of documents, ‘historic buildings’ are defined as those which meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Listed in accordance with section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 at Grades I, II* or II.
- In a conservation area designated in accordance with section 69 of that Act.
- Included in the schedule of monuments maintained under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
- Buildings which are of architectural and historical interest and which are referred to as a material consideration in a local authority’s development plan or local development framework.
- Buildings which are of architectural and historical interest within national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, registered historic parks and gardens, registered battlefields, the curtilages of scheduled ancient monuments, and world heritage sites.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
RTPI: Measuring What Matters: Planning Outcomes Research
The Royal Town Planning Institute(RTPI) has issued research from across the UK and Ireland into how authorities can measure the outcomes of planning.
Wales introduces the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) for a green recovery
The Welsh Government has given the green light and a further £10M to a major new programme that will transform social housing across Wales, boost the economy and open the door to a new Welsh industry: the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP).
Lifeline grants for culture in all corners of the country
Culture across the country benefits as Lifeline grants from the latest round of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund will protect a further 162 heritage sites across the country.
Scottish Government rejects transformation of landmark building into luxury hotel
Now the building long touted as a potential home for the Scottish Parliament stands as a symbol of a divided Scottish capital.
One of Britain’s last AA telephone boxes saved
AA Box 161 has now been listed. The telephone boxes were a sanctuary for motorists in distress, but of the hundreds across Britain just 21 remain.
IHBC submits comments on BSI’s PAS 2038 – Retrofitting non-domestic properties
The IHBC has noted that it fails to emphasise the need to carry out appropriate repairs as the vital precursor to installing retrofit measures.
Mapping tool for unused construction materials launched
A mapping tool that provides contractors and their suppliers with a central database of local Materials Exchange Platform (MEP) projects to help cut waste by finding a home for unused materials has been launched.
'Unusual' WW2 sites listed and upgraded to mark 80th anniversary of Battle of Britain
An air raid shelter, a pillbox cleverly disguised as a roofless cottage, a rare Chain Home radar defence tower, and a war memorial have been granted protection.
Derby City Council plans to knock down the 43-year old Assembly Rooms
A planning application has been submitted by Derby City Council to knock down the Assembly Rooms – which has played host to the likes of Elton John, Iron Maiden, Take That, etc.
RIBA launches new contracts for the provision of conservation architectural services
Specifically tailored for conservation projects, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has launched two brand new professional services contracts.