Historic properties and planning

Owning a historic property involves a unique set of challenges and responsibilities. When purchasing such a property, buyers must consider not only the aesthetic and historical value but also the legal restrictions and obligations that come with it. Historic properties are often subject to preservation laws and regulations that can limit modifications to maintain their historical integrity. This means that any alterations, from minor repairs to major renovations, typically require approval from the Local Planning Authority and close correspondence with the local conservation officer.

From purchase to sale, legal advice is crucial throughout to navigate the complex web of regulations and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

Forsters’ Historic Property and Planning team combine specialist expertise from across the firm to provide holistic advice in respect of all aspects of historic property. We appreciate that whilst it is a privilege to be the current custodian of a heritage property, it is also important that it be suitable for modern use as a home or otherwise. Our specialist planning lawyers are experts in advising on how best to alter and adapt a listed building, as well as many other considerations that may affect these types of properties, including where work has been carried out without or in breach of listed building consent.

Here is how we can support you:

• We have extensive experience of buying, selling and refinancing listed buildings, scheduled monuments or otherwise historic property
• Within the team we also have lawyers who have a particular skillset in the area of disputes, whose advice can either be strategic or, should the matter require it, contentious
• We have acted on the sale, purchase and refinancing of some of the country’s most significant historic buildings
• Our expertise covers all listing grades as well as scheduled monuments
• We regularly advise on purchases where work has been carried out in breach of or without listed building consent, or where further works are planned by the buyer
• On the planning front, advice ranges from the key considerations for purchasers at acquisition stage and strategic redevelopment advice to the implications and strategy for dealing with breaches of listed building control and other associated statutory regimes. We are specialists when it comes to advising landowners in associated matters such as public rights of way, environmental and compulsory purchase matters.
• We provide tax and trust advice on ways to structure the ownership of historic property, and available tax reliefs and exemptions specific to historic properties