What is Significance?
A word which is banded around like penny sweets in relation to heritage is 'Significance', but what does it mean,
Part of the Western Elevation of Norwich City Hall, what part of this would you think add to the significance of the building © East Anglian Heritage.
Significance.
Listed Building are listed for two reasons, they can have either or both reasons within them which make the building worthy of being listed these reasons are: Architectural or Historical. The listed building will have physical features which give raise to the architectural or historical importance of being worthy of being listed.
The 'Significance' of a listed building is the scale of the national importance of special architectural or historical features of the building.
A listed building will be composed of many different elements, some of which features will contribute positivity to the significance of the listed building, other features will be neutral or negative to the significance of a listed building.
Why is Significance important in Planning?
The scale of significance of a heritage assets or part of a heritage assets will help partly determining the weight given to it conservation by a Local Planning Authority.
The larger significance of a heritage asset or part of the larger the weight given to it conservation, and the opposite holds true the more negative a feature is to the significance of a heritage asset or part of the larger the weight given to its removal as a opportunity of enhancement to the listed building.
Therefore, understanding of the significance of a listed building is to understand its importance to the nation as a building of special architecture or historical importance.
How can Heritage Consultant Help?
Heritage consultant help by providing professional assessment of the features of a listed building which develop the significance of the listed building. A Heritage consultant can shed light upon what are the importance of the features of a building and how they develop or hinder the significance of a listed building as a building of national importance for architectural or historical reasons.
This informed professional opinion is the clients evidence base to the Local Planning Authority on the scale of the impact of a proposal upon a listed building. This evidence base is of great importance for it is the client tools to develop the planning arguments on why a proposal is permissible under the planning regulation.
If you wish to seek further professional help please just contact East Anglian Heritage, click here for our contact page.
Written by Karl Hanson MA BA(hons) ACIfA Director of East Anglian Heritage
September 2025
View Across adjoining 1960-1970 social housing to the Southwestern elevation of the grade II listed building at Ipswich, Suffolk, do these social housing add or detract form the significance of White House, in the HIA East Anglian Heritage successfully argued that the did indeed reduce the signifiance of the listed building © East Anglian Heritage
East Anglian Heritage is proud to be
A Member of FAME
Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers, the trade body for Archaeology Sector
