What is a Building Preservation Notice?
A Building Preservation Notice is something you might come across in connection with an old, historic or architecturally important building.
A Building Preservation Notice (or BPN) is also sometimes known informally as a preservation order or building preservation order.
It is an official notice, used by local councils, which can be issued to legally prevent any work being done, or changes being made to a specific building, to protect it for up to 6 months, if it is at risk of demolition or development, to give time for Historic England to assess the building and submit a report to the Secretary of State to consider whether to provide the the building with a formal listed status.
This can at times be controversial, as it is often used with well-intentioned meaning, if a building is dangerous, suffering from dry rot or derelict, and the owner wishes to demolish it rather than undertake costly repairs, a building preservation notice can stop that from happening.
These notices are usually issued as an interim measure pending consideration of the listed building status for the building.
In legal terms, a Building Preservation Notice is a notice issued under Section 3 of the Planning (Listed Building & Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
Once issued, a Building Preservation Notice takes effect immediately.
Article Updated: August 2025
Contents
- What a building preservation notice means
- Which buildings may be subject to a building preservation notice?
- Who issues building preservation notices?
- Objecting to a building preservation notice
- How long does a building preservation notice last?
- Penalties for contravening a building preservation notice
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What a Building Preservation Notice Means
In practice, a BPN means that the building has the same protection as a listed building. That is, official consent must be obtained before certain changes can be made to it.
Buildings subject to a Building Preservation Notice have de facto listed building status from the time the notice is issued for a period of 6 months.
Which Buildings may be Subject to a Building Preservation Notice?
A BPN can be issued on ANY type or age of building. They can be applied to residential, commercial or industrial buildings. They can be applied to buildings which are being used as well as vacant properties.
Building Preservation Notices are mostly issued in relation to buildings which, like listed buildings, have a special historical interest or particular architectural interest. This might be because of their age, their design, or because a person or event of historical significance is connected with the building.
Although BPNs are normally issues to protect very old buildings, they do not have to be.
It is also not specific to a 'type' of property either, it is only specific to the building, although it is unlikely to have a building preservation notice on a typical residential house with no additional community interest like a standard link-detached house.
Who Issues Building Preservation Notices?
Building Preservation Notices are normally issued by an officer representing the local planning authority (normally the local council) in the area in which the property is located.
BPNs can be served to the owner and the occupier of a building, including a tenant.
Before a building preservation notice can be issued, the local authority must consult with Historic England first (since July 2025), and Historic England will provide a consultation response within 3 working days.
Objecting to a Building Preservation Notice
Owners and occupiers who are issued with a BPN cannot object nor appeal against it. If the building subsequently becomes listed they can appeal against the listing status, however.
If the local authority serves a BPN incorrectly or the building is subsequently not granted listed building status the owner may be able to seek compensation for any loss from the local authority.
How Long Does a Building Preservation Notice Last?
A BPN lasts for six months. It then automatically lapses, or may then be superseded by a listed building status within that time.
Once the BPN lapses another notice cannot be issued for a period of 12 months.
Penalties for Contravening a Building Preservation Notice
The penalties for contravening a BPN are similar to those for contravening listed building status and may be a criminal offence. They apply if certain work is done to the building and if consent is not obtained for that work.
The local authority can issue enforcement action against anyone organising or carrying out work without consent. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and a requirement to reverse any work that has been carried out.