12 THE BUILDING CONSERVATION DIRECTORY 2024 CATHEDRAL COMMUNICATIONS before the work commences. Likewise, works which would not affect the building’s ‘character as a building of special architectural or historic interest’ may also be carried out without listed building consent. Works in both the above categories can also inadvertently lead to incidental alterations, particularly where nonspecialist craftspeople are unsupervised. For all works to historic buildings it is essential to engage the services of professional consultants who specialise in the conservation of historic buildings, both to specify the works and to liaise with the local authority. ECCLESIASTICAL EXEMPTION Most churches in the UK are exempt from ordinary listed building consent requirements to some degree. In England and Wales the exemption is restricted under their respective ecclesiastical exemption orders (see table) to denominations with their own internal systems of control, on the basis that their systems are equal to or better than the consent procedures of local authorities. Standard listed building and conservation area controls apply to the places of all other denominations and faiths, including synagogues and mosques for example. In Scotland and Northern Ireland the exemption from listed building controls extends to all places of worship whether Christian or not. However, the majority of Christian denominations operate their own internal systems for reviewing and approving work. In Scotland most have also voluntarily agreed to seek listed building consent for external works including alterations and extensions, so here the exemption is generally limited to the interiors. Once made redundant the church ceases to be a place of worship, so ordinary listed building consent requirements apply. JONATHAN TAYLOR MSc, IHBC is the editor of The Building Conservation Directory. Careful, like-for-like repairs being carried out to an orangery by Treasure & Sons’ conservators: although listed building consent is not required for works of repair, the local authority should be kept informed of any significant work as misunderstandings can lead to criminal charges. STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS AND GUIDANCE DENOMINATIONS AFFECTED ENGLAND The Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (England) Order 2010 The exemption is limited to the following denominations only: The Church of England The Roman Catholic Church The Methodist Church The Baptist Union of GB The United Reformed Church WALES The Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Wales) Order 2018 Managing Change to Listed Places of Worship in Wales, Cadw, 2018 Baptist Unions of GB and Wales The Church in Wales The Church of England The Methodist Church The Roman Catholic Church NORTHERN IRELAND The Planning Act (NI) 2011 Section 85(8) The exemption includes all denominations and all places of worship in Northern Ireland SCOTLAND The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 Section 54 The exemption includes all denominations and all places of worship in Scotland The ‘List’ includes a wide range of structures from telephone boxes and bridges to flats and palaces. This 1902 war memorial in Plymouth is listed Grade II and is in memory of Christian Victor, Prince of Schleswig-Holstein, who died in the Boer War.
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