Significance of Listed Buildings and Statutory Regard

Once lost, listed buildings cannot be replaced; and they can be robbed of their special interest as surely by unsuitable alteration as by outright demolition. They represent a finite resource and irreplaceable asset and contribute to the quality of our built environment. While the listing of a building should not be seen as an impediment to all future change Article 45(1) of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 requires the Department to have "special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses." This reflects the great importance to society of protecting listed buildings from unnecessary demolition, insensitive alteration and unsuitable development and will therefore be the prime consideration for the Department in determining applications for listed building consent and considering planning applications for development which affect a listed building or its setting.