Heritage Assets

Historic/Listed Buildings

Breckland district is fortunate to possess a rich and diverse architectural heritage, displaying the use of a wide range of materials, dictated prior to industrialism by the immediate geology and landscape. Typically, one would observe the use of brick, flint, chalk, clay lump and timber framing for walling with thatch; clay tiles and, in later years following industrialism, slates for roofing.

Many such buildings within the District are listed as buildings of Architectural or Historic importance. Such lists are compiled byHistoric England, affording a high degree of protection. The Breckland list includes over 1,600 buildings, which in the event of any proposals, other than like for like repairs, will require the benefit of Listed Building Consent. Listed buildings can be viewed on the council mapping system inMy Breckland.

Older buildings will usually require a higher degree of maintenance, in comparison with a modern property, which will often involve repairs to the fabric to ensure its longevity.

In the meantime, owners of Listed Buildings may find the following of some interest:

• The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings

Contact Historic England Listing for advice on how to get a building considered for listing, de-listing, re-grading or amending a description.

Historic England has created aNational Heritage List for England (April 2011). This is an online database that brings together information on all nationally designated heritage assets in one place for the first time.

Conservation Areas

The Breckland administrative area is approximately 500 square miles and within that area there are 50 Designated Conservation Areas, These Conservation Areas were predominantly designated during the 1970's and 1980's - please refer to our Conservation Areas page for more information.

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