About listed buildings

A building is listed when it's of special architectural or historic interest and considered to be of national importance.

Listed buildings in Medway include a vast range of heritage assets which demonstrate the unique history of our towns, villages, river and peninsula.

When a building or structure is listed, the whole building, including any fixtures and fittings and any extensions, is included in the listing unless the list description excludes it.

Check if a building is listed

You can check is a building is listed on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).

Historic England maintains the NHLE on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

If a building is listed, you need consent to alter, extend or demolish it.

Find out more about listed building consent.

How listed buildings are graded

There are 3 listing grades:

Grade I is of exceptional interest, and only a very small percentage of buildings are listed to this level
Grade II buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest
Grade III buildings are of special interest, and the large majority of buildings are listed at this level.

All listed buildings are afforded the same level of protection by law.

Listed building protection

Listed building protection covers both the outside and inside of a building. It also applies to fixtures that are part of the building, such as:

built-in cupboards
fireplaces
wall panelling.

It does not apply to freestanding furniture or pictures hung on walls.

Protection can also extend to later additions attached to the building, as well as walls, railings and historic garden structures within its grounds that have been part of the site since before 1 July 1948.