Listed buildings

Overall vulnerability

Feature assessed:

• Listed buildings

Special qualities:

• Characteristic settlements with strong communities and traditions

Feature description:

A listed building is one that has been designated as having special architectural or historic interest and is given extra protection in recognition of its importance to Britain’s heritage.

The PDNP has some 2,900 listed buildings.

There are three grades of listing: Grade I for the finest buildings of most importance. Grade I listed buildings in the Peak District include Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall.

Grade II* for buildings of exceptional quality or containing special features. Ilam Hall and Eyam Hall are examples of Grade II* buildings within the National Park.

Grade II is for buildings of special interest. Around 94% of listed buildings come under this category.

How vulnerable are listed buildings?

Listed buildings in the PDNP have been rated ‘moderate’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, coupled with a reasonable overall current condition, and a high adaptive capacity.

Only one property in the PDNP is currently on the national Heritage at Risk register that provides information on those under threat, however it only includes Grade I and II* buildings. The PDNPA holds its own list of buildings at risk, which includes 160 listed buildings (156 Grade II and 4 Grade II*). Climate change may increase damage to these buildings from extreme weather events such as flooding and storm damage. Greater fluctuations in temperature may also damage building structure as well as foundations. The designation of listed building status does provide some protection but the very nature of the properties means that changing them to make them more thermally efficient or modifying their rainwater goods for example, may be detrimental to what makes them special.

The buildings that are likely to be most vulnerable are those which are uninhabited, or those in private ownership that have limited resources available.

Current condition

There is currently only one listed building in the PDNP on Historic England’s 'Heritage at Risk' register: Critchlow Monument, Sheen in the Staffordshire Moorlands which is recorded as being in “very bad” condition. However there are likely to be many Grade II listed buildings "at risk", but only Grade I and Grade II* are on the register. The PDNPA holds its own list of buildings at risk, which includes 160 listed buildings (156 Grade II and 4 Grade II*). The condition of these listed buildings may have changed however as some of the listings data is old.

There are stricter planning controls in place for listed buildings. While these help to safeguard buildings they can also make it more difficult for protective measures, such as flood proofing, to be put in place due to the more stringent planning requirements for alterations.

There is a pressure to increase the thermal efficiency of buildings, and develop alternative power sources such as solar energy and ground source heat, whilst retaining historical features. However, such changes could be detrimental to the function and aesthetics of the buildings and the townscapes and landscapes beyond them, and therefore creative approaches are needed.

What are the potential impacts of climate change?

Overall potential impact rating

Direct impacts of climate change

There are many ways in which climate change could impact listed buildings as different historic structures are built to different standards and using differing construction techniques. An increase in the frequency and severity of winter flooding could in some cases potentially see severe damage caused, however in some cases traditional structures may be more resilient than modern buildings. Hydraulic action and the increase of flow of sediment or debris may damage or weaken structures. Repeated flooding and the need for repairs may make the building difficult or very expensive to insure. Extreme weather conditions could lead to irreversible damage, or even collapse. Data Certainty: Moderate

Buildings are sensitive to geological shrink and swell. Hotter drier summers could see the drying out of certain geologies such as clay which can increase subsidence affecting these historic structures. Wetter warmer winters may have an impact due to poor or inadequate rainwater goods including historic guttering and downpipes, while wet masonry is sensitive to freeze-thaw. It is not only the exterior of these buildings that could suffer, as damp may also be an issue for the interiors and contents of the building. These changes could also be exacerbated by maintenance and repair issues. Damage may ultimately lead to the loss of historic structures due to changes in structural integrity leading to movement or collapse. Data Certainty: High

Building materials such as lead and leadlight windows are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature with an increase in thermal expansion and contraction of materials such as wood, stone, metal and paint. This could then accelerate attritional damage of building materials leading to issues over repairs and maintenance. Data Certainty: Moderate

Human behaviour change

Listed buildings may also be sensitive to inappropriate post-flood remedial works for example buildings may be damaged from repeated rapid artificial drying while inappropriate works by contractors may see unnecessary disposal of important fixtures and fittings. Data Certainty: Moderate

The move to upgrade the thermal efficiency of buildings by increasing insulation may also lead to a decrease in ventilation. Older buildings may suffer from increased rot with deterioration in wooden framed buildings and slate roofs supported by wooden battens. There may also be pressure to embrace renewable energy such as solar, air, water and ground source heat. Data Certainty: Very Low

A result of hotter summers could be an increase in the number of people visiting the PDNP. Buildings may be susceptible to damage from crime, vandalism, and accidental fire. This can cause accelerated damage to some buildings as an accidental fire may not only result in direct damage, but also lead to water damage from the process of extinguishing it. Data Certainty: Moderate

Sedimentation or erosion

Cracking of the ground caused by hot drought periods makes traditional building materials susceptible to damage. If they increase in frequency the overall long term robustness of structures may be compromised. Any impact on the foundations or any movement in the structure could be detrimental for listed buildings and costly for owners to repair. Data Certainty: Moderate

If winters are wetter traditional building materials could see an increase in erosion by hydraulic action with stone for example damaged and degraded. Where replacement stone may be required like-for-like replacement may be more challenging. Data Certainty: Moderate

Invasive or other species interactions

More humid conditions may see an increase in the growth of mould, rot and insect infestation. This may cause damage particularly to internal structures and fittings. Data Certainty: Moderate

Increased annual averages and wetter warmer winters could see buildings suffering structural damage from increased growth of some plant species like Japanese knotweed, trees and shrubs, insect infestation, rot and fungi. This could accelerate physical damage to building materials and cause structural problems with movement and collapse exacerbated by changes to the building foundations. Data Certainty: Very Low

What is the adaptive capacity of listed buildings?

Overall adaptive capacity rating

Across the whole of the PDNP there is a very diverse set of historic assets and while some will be more vulnerable than others, listed buildings will not be lost entirely. Data Certainty: High Many historic structures are inherently resilient and can recover well from extreme events, such as flooding, if treated appropriately. Data Certainty: High

Most listed buildings will be insured, offering some protection if they suffer damage. Grants may be available from organisations such as Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to improve the resilience of buildings by installing adaptations where appropriate on Grade I and Grade II* buildings although funding is limited and often targeted to buildings at risk. Information on what type of grants may be available can be found via Heritage Alliance 'Heritage Funding Directory', however grants are less likely to be available to private owners than for example to a registered charity. No grants are available for Grade II listed buildings, and the grants that are available are not always compatible with conservation and enhancement of listed buildings. Data Certainty: High

Some protection from inappropriate adaptive or remedial work is provided if a building has been listed. However, this can only work if there is a good system of monitoring condition in place so that problems are noted and action can be taken and owners are aware of the requirements that come with listed status. The Heritage at Risk register is a reasonably robust way of tracking some of the most vulnerable buildings, but there are in reality likely to be many more buildings which are at risk. The condition of buildings is only usually monitored from the outside. There is a raft of advice, guidance and legislation to respond to and manage listed buildings. Data Certainty: High

A good level of information and skill is available to make appropriate adaptations and to deal with extreme events damaging listed buildings, both during and after damage occurring. Advice is available from Historic England and PDNPA. Having listed status means buildings have a better chance of appropriate action being taken than other building types. Data Certainty: High

Key adaptation recommendations for listed buildings

Improve current condition to increase resilience

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are aimed at improving the condition of the feature at present, therefore making it better able to withstand future changes to climate.

• Remedial work completed after damage has occurred should be appropriate for the specific building. See the Historic England 2010 (2015 edition) document ‘Flooding and Historic Buildings’ for examples.
• Provide good information on appropriate materials, and encourage building owners to carry out timely maintenance and repairs.
• Create/maintain strong partnerships with external organisations to highlight materials sourcing issues, and ensure steady supply of appropriate materials (e.g. Historic England, minerals operators, architects, tradespeople).
• Nurture collaborative networks to build capacity for monitoring (e.g. local interest groups).

Adapt infrastructure for future conditions

These recommendations are adaptations to physical infrastructure that should allow the feature to better resist or recover from future climate change.

• Installation of appropriate adaptive measures should be encouraged and regular condition inspections should be carried out.
• Keep abreast of new research into the performance of alternative materials for future climate adaptations.
• Encourage the use and benefits of traditional materials. Review building design with the impacts of climate change in mind.