Reviewed and updated: 17 October 2026. Original archive publication date retained.
A Building Preservation Notice can give temporary protection to an unlisted building while a decision about listing is considered. It is not a general label for any council instruction to repair a property or stop construction. This explanation concerns England.
What the notice is for
Government guidance describes notices under section 3 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Requests for a notice should be directed to the local planning authority. The process concerns a building considered at risk of demolition or alteration affecting its special interest.
Once served on the owner and occupier, a notice normally remains in force for six months. It can cease earlier if the building is listed or the Secretary of State confirms that listing is not intended.
Respond to the actual document
An owner should establish which building and works the notice covers, when it was served and what restrictions now apply. Do not assume that a temporary notice is the same as a permanent listing decision.
If work is planned or underway, obtain appropriate advice promptly and discuss the position with the authority. Keep the notice, plans and correspondence together so advisers can assess the specific circumstances.
The status should also be checked during a purchase. A search result or old advertisement may not describe a newly served notice, and earlier assumptions about alterations may need reconsidering.