About Casework

Statutory Consultee on Listed Building Consent

Under the 1968 Town and Country Planning Act we are recognised as one of the National Amenity Societies – which means we are a statutory consultee on applications for listed building consent in England and Wales involving demolition, in whole or part.

We campaign for buildings of all ages and all types. 

However we are unique amongst the Amenity Societies in that buildings of all ages fall within our remit. ‘Ancient Monument’ is a notoriously ambiguous term, but we take it to mean any man-made structure of architectural or historical interest – including houses, whether vernacular or polite, barns, almshouses, dovecotes, mills, churches and chapels.

We are immensely grateful for a substantial grant from English Heritage to enable us to perform our casework functions. We are grateful too for the annual subsidy from Cadw.

What does being statutory consultee on listed building consent involve?

Each week we receive notice of proposals which involve some loss of historic fabric. We play a vital role in commenting on such applications; preventing unnecessary destruction, opposing unsympathetic conversion, and championing sensitive new design in historic settings.

Matthew Saunders and Lucie Carayon between them handle over 5,000 such cases each year, of which about 30 will threaten total destruction. That last figure is dramatically less than the 693 listed buildings that faced applications for total demolition in 1979.

The AMS has helped to change the culture in the 3 or 4 decades since then such that although the numbers of listed buildings has doubled in that period, the number of applications to demolish completely has plummetted. We comment on such applications to local authorities and Government departments and in the majority of cases our views win the day.

How can I find out about cases you have commented on?

Our Casework Gallery shows some of the key cases we have handled in recent years.

The Society publishes three 60 page Newsletters which give a brief summary of key cases, and a 150 page volume of Transactions, in which such cases are discussed and illustrated in greater depth, each year. Newsletters and Transactions are mailed to all members as a benefit of membership; so to find out more please consider joining the Society. Back issues of the Transactions are available to purchase, and Newsletters can be sent out on request.

Volunteer to help

We welcome volunteers who are able to act as our local eyes and ears. If you have a basic knowledge of architectural history or conservation, your own transport, and a camera, you may wish to register as a volunteer.