Listed Building Consent is required to demolish a listed building or to alter it in a way that affects its character as a building of architectural or historic interest. However, if you are proposing to do any works to a listed building you should speak to your local planning authority (LPA) to find out whether you need to make an application for Listed Building Consent. You may also need listed building consent for any works to other buildings within the grounds of a listed building or for buildings or structures attached to a listed building. It is a criminal offence to carry out work which need listed building consent without obtaining it beforehand, so it is important that you have discussions with your LPA to make sure you understand when consent is required.
When a LPA considers whether to grant or to refuse an application for Listed Building Consent it must have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and those features which make it special. Listed building status covers the whole building, inside and out. Common works requiring consent might include the replacement of windows or doors, knocking down internal walls, painting over brickwork or altering fireplaces.
Listed Building Consent is administered by your Local Planning Authority (LPA). You can download an application for Listed Building Consent from your LPA’s website. Advice and guidance can also be obtained by looking at Guidance notes for Listed Building Consent on the Government's Planning Portal website. There is no fee for making a listed building application. However, if the works also required planning permission, you would need to submit a fee for that application.
Certain essential works may be covered by a national or local Listed Building Consent Order. Also, owners and the LPA may enter into a Heritage Partnership Agreement setting out works for which listed building consent is granted (excluding demolition). More details on these recent changes are set out via the Historic England website which is the national body leading on listed building and other heritage matters
There is also the option to apply and obtain a Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed Works to a listed building (which is valid for 10 years) which confirms the works you are proposing would not require Listed Building Consent.
More detailed advice on Listed Buildings and listed building consent can be accessed here.