Listed buildings
Statutory listed buildings are designated by the governments
Department of Culture, Media and Sport and are classified into
three grades, I, II* and II.
- Grade I - buildings of exceptional national interest. Tower
Hamlets has 13, including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and
Christ's Church at Spitalfields.
- Grade II* - buildings of more than special interest. There are
about 40 in Tower Hamlets, including Wapping Hydraulic Pumping
Station.
- Grade II - buildings of special interest. There are around
2,000 of these in Tower Hamlets.
Listed buildings have their character and
appearance protected by a special type of planning permission
called listed building consent. If you want to alter a listed
building, either internally or externally, you need to apply for
consent by completing an application
form. It is a criminal offence to make an unauthorised
alteration affecting the special character of a listed building
without consent. The council has enforcement powers to reverse
unauthorised alterations.
To find out if you live in a listed building, you can search our
Listed Buildings map or English
Heritage's Listed Buildings Online.
Undertaking works which affect the special character
without authorisation is a criminal offence.
View guidance leaflet on Conservation
Areas and Listed Buildings (PDF, 896k)
For more information about making an
application for listed building consent you can call the planning
hotline on 020 7364 5009 or call in at the the planning office.
Locally listed buildings
As well as statutorily listed buildings, the
council also keeps a register of locally listed buildings. Locally
listed buildings are those buildings which it considers to be of
particular local interest for historic, architectural or special
environmental reasons. There are 182 locally listed buildings which
are protected and contribute to the quality of the historic
environment. The council encourages the sensitive and innovative
reuse of locally listed buildings within local regeneration
schemes.
To find out more about locally listed
buildings you can search our list of
locally listed buildings or
view our map.
If you would like further information about
locally listed buildings, please contact the council on 020 7364
5009 or at conservation@towerhamlets.gov.uk
World heritage sites
The Tower of London
The Tower of London is a world heritage site
as well as being a grade I listed building. It is managed by
Historic Royal Palaces who published a detailed management
plan for the Tower of London in 2007.
Their management plan provides a detailed
account of the Tower’s history and significance. It also
contains important and useful information regarding how the site is
to be managed to safeguard its special character and it is
essential reading for those considering development affecting the
setting of the Tower.
View
Tower of London World Heritage Site Management Plan (PDF,
3223k).
Island Gardens (part of setting of Greenwich world heritage
site)
In addition to the Tower of London World
Heritage Site, Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs is included as
part of the setting of the Greenwich world heritage site across the
River Thames.
Archaeology
Tower Hamlets has been settled for a long
time, and contains some very interesting archaeology. Easily
damaged and irreplaceable it is important that it is carefully
managed and protected for the future.
Whilst significant areas of the borough are
identified as having archaeological potential there are sites which
are specifically recognised for their archaeological importance,
these are scheduled ancient monuments.
Scheduled ancient monument consent is required for works which
affect these monuments.
How to contact us
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
5 Clove Crescent
Mulberry Place
London
E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5009
Email: planningandbuilding@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Open: Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm