Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II: Does the Grade Change What You Can Do?

Every listed building in England sits in one of three grades. The grade is recorded on the building's entry in the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), alongside the list description setting out what is understood to be significant about it.

What do the three grades mean?

• Grade I — buildings of exceptional interest, sometimes considered internationally important. Only a small proportion of listed buildings hold this grade.
• Grade II* — particularly important buildings of more than special interest, sitting between Grade I and the much larger Grade II category.
• Grade II — buildings of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them. This is by far the largest grade, covering the great majority of listed buildings in England.

[GPS TO VERIFY: exact current proportions of each grade in the national total, sourced from Historic England's own published statistics, before this guide is published — approximate historic figures are widely quoted but should be checked against the current NHLE rather than repeated from memory.]

Does the grade change whether you need consent?

No. Listed Building Consent is required for works affecting the special interest of a listed building regardless of grade — a Grade II building has exactly the same legal consent requirement as a Grade I building for equivalent works. What the grade does affect is the level of scrutiny, the weight given to the building's significance in decision-making, and, often in practice, the level of detail a local planning authority and Historic England expect in your supporting documents.

How does the grade affect the process in practice?

Historic England is a statutory consultee on applications affecting Grade I and Grade II* buildings (and is consulted on a narrower range of Grade II cases, such as total demolition), which adds a further layer of expert review beyond the local planning authority. Conservation officers typically expect a more thorough Statement of Heritage Significance and Heritage Impact Assessment for a higher-grade building, reflecting the greater weight its significance carries in the planning balance, and are correspondingly less tolerant of thin or generic documents. This does not mean lower scrutiny is safe for a Grade II building — refusals and enforcement action happen at Grade II far more often than at Grade I, simply because there are so many more Grade II buildings and applications.

Does curtilage listing apply at every grade?

Yes. A structure within the curtilage of a listed building — an outbuilding, wall or gate pre-dating 1 July 1948 — can be treated as part of the listing regardless of the main building's grade, and needs the same consent as the principal building for relevant works. Checking curtilage status is worth doing at any grade, not just for higher-graded properties.

Can a building's grade change after it is listed?

Yes. Historic England periodically reviews listings, and a grade can be revised — upgraded or, less commonly, downgraded — where new evidence about a building's history or significance comes to light, or as part of a wider thematic reassessment of a building type or period. Anyone can apply to Historic England to have a building's listing reviewed, including its grade, by submitting evidence for consideration; the process does not require the owner's involvement, though owners are notified when their building is affected.

Where do I find out my building's grade?

The National Heritage List for England, maintained by Historic England, is the authoritative public record — search by address or list entry number to see the grade, the full list description, and the date of listing. A Preliminary Planning and Heritage Appraisal checks this record automatically against the list entry you provide, which is the fastest way to confirm it alongside an initial read of what the listing means for a specific project.

Can a building be removed from the list entirely?

Delisting is possible but rare, and is handled by Historic England through the same review process used for grade changes — typically where new evidence shows the original listing decision was based on a factual error, or where the building has been so altered or damaged that little of its special interest survives. Delisting is a separate question from grade review, and neither happens automatically just because an owner disagrees with the listing; both require a formal application to Historic England supported by evidence, and the existing listing remains fully in force, consent requirement included, until any change is confirmed.