Listed Building Consent (drainage)

Listed Building Consent is a statutory consent under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 required for works that affect the character of a listed building of special architectural or historic interest. The requirement applies regardless of whether the works also need planning permission, and generally extends to any external drainage alteration, including replacement of cast iron downpipes, gullies, soil stacks and visible chamber covers. Greater London has tens of thousands of listed buildings, with concentrations in Westminster, Camden and the City. Practical implications for homeowners include the need to apply for Listed Building Consent before undertaking external drainage replacement, with conservation officers expecting like-for-like materials such as cast iron rather than PVC-U. Unauthorised works to a listed building are a criminal offence. The formal reference is the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, applied through the local borough planning authority.