Listed Buildings, Locally Listed Buildings and ‘Non-Designated Heritage Assets’ – what’s the difference?

The distinction between the two terms is mostly one of timing rather than status: a building becomes "Locally Listed" when a council has pre-emptively added it to a published Local List, whereas the broader term "non-designated heritage asset" — the phrase used in the National Planning Policy Framework — also covers buildings identified for the first time during a planning application itself. Once recognised, the extent of protection is the same either way. 

Key differences 

1. Extent of control: interior, exterior and curtilage

For Listed Buildings, protection extends to the whole building — interior as well as exterior — and Listed Building Consent is required for any works that would affect its special architectural or historic character, whether or not those works are visible from the street. Protection can also extend to structures within the building's curtilage, even where those structures aren't separately listed. Historic England publishes helpful guidance on which works require consent (Advice Note 16) and on curtilage listing (Advice Note 10). 

By contrast, the interiors of Locally Listed Buildings and non-designated heritage assets aren't controlled at all. Only works that would ordinarily require planning permission are subject to control — for example, a change of use, an extension, or an alteration that would materially affect the building's external appearance. 

2. Weight in decision-making

Locally Listed Buildings and non-designated heritage assets also benefit from much greater flexibility for change than Listed Buildings. For a Listed Building, planning judgements are heavily weighted towards preserving historic fabric, plan form and the other attributes that contribute to its special interest. For a Locally Listed Building, preservation is more finely balanced against other planning aims — improving design quality, upgrading energy performance, or making better use of the site. 

That said, non-designated status remains particularly important where demolition and replacement is proposed. In these cases, the degree of significance attributable to the historic building, and the quality of its replacement will typically determine whether demolition can be justified. 

Why understanding significance matters 

Whichever category applies, understanding a building's history and significance early is essential — not only to avoid design moves a Local Planning Authority is likely to reject, but also to identify opportunities for enhancement that can weigh in an application's favour. The revised National Planning Policy Framework, in force since August 2026, gives clearer recognition that development can have a positive effect on a heritage asset's significance, not simply minimise harm to it. That could include reinstating lost historic features, or replacing an unsympathetic later addition with a more sympathetic design. 

Avalon Planning & Heritage has a dedicated team of planning and heritage specialists with direct experience managing Listed Buildings and non-designated heritage assets of all types. If you have a specific query, do get in touch.