Heritage and listed buildings in the United Kingdom

Listing buildings and structures have special architectural, historical or cultural interest and started in 1947 under the Town and Planning Act. The criterion for deciding whether a building should be listed is based on its architectural interest, such as design, decoration, craftsmanship, building types and techniques etc and historic interest, which shows the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history. Close historical association, for example with important buildings or events. Group value, such as model villages, squares, terraces etc.

To date there are approximately five hundred thousand listed buildings in the United Kingdom and registered on a number of lists in England, Wales and Scotland gathered together by the relevant Government department which act on recommendations from English Heritage or The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). Buildings with a listing are either Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II. Grade I buildings are considered to be those that are of exceptional interest. Grade II* buildings are considered to be particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II buildings are considered to be of special interest, warranting preservation (historicengland.org.uk, 2015). Most buildings constructed before the 1700's with original construction are listed. The majority of properties constructed from 1700 1840 with original construction will be listed as Grade I or Grade II*. Buildings constructed from the 1840s are generally of mixed consideration i.e. the type of building or the building's history. From 1940 onwards fewer buildings have been listed and the ones listed are buildings with a classic design or portray a particular style or property era. Usually listed buildings cannot be extended, demolished or changed unless permission is gained from the Local Authority (LA). LAs usually have a specialist in this area but may also get advice from other bodies like (SPAB), however building works are allowed to maintain the building

Heritage property in the United States of America In the United States there are three categories of what are termed historic properties. First, historic properties can be associated with events or persons important in the past development of the United States, the land itself and the nation. Second, historic properties can demonstrate styles of architecture, building construction, or engineering. Third, historic properties can express a particular culture or place and includes archaeological sites and historic landscapes. These categories of historic properties a

An investigation into how the other countries value historic buildings and whether they include life-cycle costs revealed the United States of America (US) and China value historic buildings using the comparison approach, cost approach and income capitalisation approach. There does not appear to be any literature to confirm they included life-cycle costs within their valuations. The literature from both countries did revealed there was a common interest in preserving their historic buildings and there re-use was believed to be the way forward as well as culturally inspiring.

Historic Buildings have their own intrinsic value and any nation that claims to cherish cultural achievement in any field has a duty to care for them (ihbc.org.uk, 2019). The value of historic buildings and places is recognised in UK legislation and signatories in international charters and conventions (UNESCO, Council of Europe, etc.).