What are the criteria for listing?
This list shows the main criteria that DCMS uses in deciding which buildings to include on the statutory list.
- Architectural interest: buildings of importance because of their design, decoration and craftsmanship; also important examples of particular building types and techniques and building of significant plan forms.
- Historic interest: illustrations of important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history.
- Historic association: close historical association with nationally important people or events.
- Group value: especially where buildings comprise an important architectural or historic group or a fine example of planning such as squares, terraces or model villages.
Building age
The older a building is, and the fewer the surviving examples of its kind, the more likely it is to have historic importance.
- All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed.
- Most buildings built between 1700 and 1840 are listed.
- Buildings erected after 1840 may be listed where they are the best examples of particular building types, but only buildings of definite quality and character are listed.
- Buildings that are less than thirty years old are normally listed only if they are of outstanding quality and under threat.
- Buildings are not listed until they are at least ten years old.