Listed Building Restoration in Canterbury, Kent

Any alteration, extension or demolition of a listed building that affects its character requires Listed Building Consent, regardless of whether planning permission is also needed. Carrying out work without consent is a criminal offence. We advise on consent requirements at the outset and can support the application process.

In some circumstances, yes — but the guiding principle for listed building work is that materials and methods should be sympathetic to the original construction. For masonry, this typically means lime-based mortars and renders rather than cement, which can cause serious damage to historic stonework. We use appropriate traditional materials and advise on what is acceptable to the local conservation officer.

Lime mortar is softer and more flexible than cement, and historically all pre-20th century masonry was built with it. Repointing a historic building with cement mortar traps moisture, accelerates freeze-thaw damage and can crack the original stone. Lime allows the building to breathe and flex as it was designed to do.

Yes. We have an established working relationship with conservation and planning officers in Canterbury and across Kent. We involve them early in the project, seek pre-application advice where appropriate, and ensure all work is designed and executed in a way they will approve.

Yes. Where original windows survive, restoration is almost always preferable to replacement — both from a heritage perspective and a consent perspective. We repair broken sash cords, replace decayed timber sections, draught-proof the frames, and apply appropriate paint systems to extend their life significantly.

Damp in old buildings is usually a result of moisture being trapped by inappropriate modern materials — cement render, impermeable paint or injection damp proofing that doesn't work well with lime construction. The correct approach is to remove the problematic materials, allow the building to dry out, and reinstate breathable lime systems. We assess the specific cause before recommending any treatment.