Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 8
Westminster City Council
ranked as one of three local
authorities handing out the
highest number of fines to
owners of listed buildings
New data has revealed the local authorities which have handed out the highest number of fines to
owners of listed buildings, under the Planning Act 1990, with Ipswich Borough Council, Maldon
District Council and Westminster City Council ranking on top.
Breathable paint supplier, Earthborn, has investigated
which local authorities have given the highest number of
fines to owners of listed buildings, the reasons why owners
are most commonly fined as well as what the highest
penalty recorded is for a painting-related offence.
The most common recorded reasons for a penalty
being handed out to an owner of a listed building
The local authorities which have handed out the
highest number of recorded fines to date, according to
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Ranking
=1
=1
=1
=2
=2
=2
=2
=2
Ranking
Category
1
2
Demolition
Unauthorised internal
and external modifications
Unauthorised internal
alterations
Unauthorised external
modification
Partial demolition
3
Local authority
Number
of penalties
Ipswich Borough Council
7
Maldon District Counci
7
Westminster City Council
7
Kensington and Chelsea
5
London Borough Council
Newark and Sherwood
5
Salisbury
5
Thanet
5
DoE Northern Ireland
5
4
5
Number
of penalties
52
49
42
28
14
The highest recorded fine to date for a listed building, with
a fine of £200,000 (with costs of £13,000) was handed out
in 1998 for the partial demolition of a Grade III listed
building, Stelvio House on Bassaleg Road, in Newport,
Gwent.
The highest fines recorded for listed building offences
Ranking Works
Fine (exc
additional
costs imposed)
1
Partial demolition of Grade
£200,000
III listed building
The most common recorded reason for penalties to be
handed out historically was a ‘complete demolition’,
which ranges from owners, builders and architects demolishing buildings to demolishing barns, garages and
glasshouses.
This was followed by unauthorised internal and external
modifications, which includes breaches such as fitting new
windows without permission, as well as any offences
recorded which contain both an internal and external offence, such as carrying out an unauthorised extension as
well as interior alterations.
2
Unauthorised basement works
of partial demolition
£162,300
3
Unauthorised internal
£123,000
alternation involving removal of
ceilings and partitions
The highest recorded fine to date for a painting related
offence is £6,000 and was handed out to a Grade II listed
building in London. Approval was not received for the
internal paint specification and colour scheme to the
finest room in the C18 building.
Ranking in third was unauthorised internal modifications
such as the removal of ceilings, partitions, walls, floors,
staircases and internal painting without prior approval.
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
6
