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Buildings of character

Although local Buildings of Character do not have the statutory protection afforded to "listed buildings", the Council will seek to keep them wherever possible. The list can never be definitive as buildings may be added from time to time and the Council reserves the right to add to this list.

Many of the Buildings of Character were added to the list before the Council adopted criteria for identifying such buildings and most of the buildings have not been reviewed against the criteria. Therefore if an owner has concerns about the inclusion of a building a request can be made to the Council to review it against the criteria.

The Buildings of Character list is available here.

The Council's adopted criteria for identifying Buildings of Character are set out below. All buildings, standing structures and paved surfaces are eligible for identification as a Building of Character, provided they meet one of more of the following criteria:

Buildings constructed before 1700
Much altered or extended buildings built before 1700 where external features survive well enough to illustrate their early character.

Buildings constructed between 1700 and 1840
Buildings which still retain the essential form and characteristics of their period. Degree of alteration will be particularly important, as well as quality of workmanship, contribution to group value, prominence of siting and any significant historical association.

Buildings constructed between 1840 and 1914
Only buildings of well above average quality and character should be included. This could be through the architect, design, decoration, quality of workmanship, planning, social or technological interest. Buildings identified under this category would include the modest works of principal architects and principal works of modest architects

Buildings constructed between 1914 and 1939
Buildings of either traditional or modern styles - but only those of particular quality. This could include good examples of contemporary architectural styles and principal works of local architects.

Post 1939 buildings
Important buildings that represent a particular architectural style or are a local expression of a national movement.

Other qualifying factors would be:-

Association with historical events or persons
These should be well authenticated and ideally the building should have other qualities to combine with the historic association to make it worthy of inclusion (short periods of occupancy would not be sufficient).

Typical or archetypical buildings
The last survivors of a formerly extensive building type could be considered for inclusion - even if they are not particularly distinguished in their own right. They would be included for their rarity value.

Contribution to the character of an area
Buildings which make a significant contribution to the character or interest of the local area.

Use of locally sourced materials
Buildings with exteriors displaying locally sourced materials that are distinctive to the area, for example, flint on the North Downs.

Related Pages:

Listed buildings    Listed buildings (Pages)

Register of listed buildings (Pages)

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