Listed Buildings

The statutory list for Southend was published in 1974. Since then, further buildings have been added by the Secretary of State on request. English Heritage advises the Government on conservation and will always be consulted before a building is listed.  Buildings are assessed against a set of national  criteria:

• Historical  Interest  - Is the building an important part of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history?
• Close Historical  Associations - Is the building connected with important historical people or events in the nation's history?
• Architectural Interest - Is the building's design, decoration, craftsmanship or technical innovation of national importance?
• Group Value - Does a collection of buildings together exhibit an important architectural or historical unity?

Age and rarity are important factors. Normally, all pre 1700 buildings which survive in anything like their original condition are listed. Most built between 1700 to 1840 are also listed. After 1840 more buildings survive and only the best examples are listed, especially the work of major architects. Greater selectivity is given to post-1914 buildings and those less than thirty years old must have outstanding quality.

Listed Buildings are graded to show their relative importance. The great majority are Grade II. Those with "more than special interest" or "exceptional interest" are Grade II* or I respectively.