THE EXPERTISE THESE BUILDINGS REQUIRE
Listed Buildings
Listed buildings are not like other buildings. The obligations that come with them, legal, technical and professional, are significant. The consequences of getting it wrong are serious. It is a criminal offence to carry out work that requires listed building consent without obtaining it first, and a planning authority can insist that unauthorised works are reversed entirely, regardless of cost. This is not a reason to avoid working on listed buildings. It is a reason to choose your contractor very carefully, and to make sure they have done this before.
Slate Contracts have a track record of working on listed and heritage properties across London and the South East, alongside expert professionals in conservation and restoration. We understand the legal requirements, the approved materials and methods, and the level of care and planning these buildings demand. We take our responsibility towards them seriously, and we deliver work that is sympathetic, compliant and built to last.
Listed Building Consent: what it means in practice
If you want to alter or extend a listed building in a way that affects its character or appearance as a building of special architectural or historic interest, you must first apply for Listed Building Consent from your local planning authority.
This applies to a wider range of works than many people expect. Even internal alterations (changing layouts, removing original features, replacing materials) can require consent if they affect the building’s character. The threshold is lower than most people assume, and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious.
Working with a contractor who understands this process, who can advise on what requires consent, who liaises effectively with conservation officers and who specifies materials and methods that will satisfy planning requirements, is not optional. It’s essential.
We work closely with conservation officers, architects and heritage professionals throughout the consent and delivery process. We’ve navigated the requirements of multiple London boroughs and know how to present proposals that are both practical and approvable.
One point of contact, start to finish
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75 years combined senior management experience
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2 offices covering London, the Home Counties and Southern England
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One point of contact, start to finish • 75 years combined senior management experience • 2 offices covering London, the Home Counties and Southern England •
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What we specialise in:
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Stone restoration and cleaning
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Repointing in traditional lime mortars
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Brickwork repair and restoration
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Listed building refurbishment
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Heritage property maintenance
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Damp proofing using appropriate methods and materials
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Structural repairs within planning requirements
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Sympathetic internal alterations
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Building fabric repairs and conservation
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Works in conservation areas
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not necessarily — but the range of works that do require consent is wider than many people expect. Minor repairs using the same materials and methods as the original may not require consent. Any alteration that could affect the building’s character almost certainly will. We strongly recommend speaking to a conservation officer or specialist adviser before assuming any work can proceed without consent.
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A planning authority can insist that all work carried out without consent is reversed. This means complete reinstatement at the owner’s cost — regardless of how extensive or expensive the work was. Criminal prosecution is also possible for serious breaches.
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Yes. Conservation area controls restrict certain types of work on all buildings within the area, not just listed buildings. We work on both listed buildings and unlisted buildings within conservation areas, and we understand the different requirements that apply to each.
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We regularly work as part of professional teams including architects, structural engineers, conservation specialists and heritage consultants. We’re experienced at working within established project structures and contributing our practical knowledge to the delivery phase.
“Slate have provided ongoing services to our property management team, delivering works reliably and to a good standard. Communication has always been clear and professional. Any issues that have arisen have been dealt with promptly and pragmatically.”
Ben Robins ATPI, Property Manager — Block Management UK Ltd
Got a listed building project?
Let’s talk. We’ll tell you straight whether we’re the right contractor for your project, what the consent process is likely to involve and what a realistic programme looks like. And if we’re not the right fit, we’ll say so.
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