Guildford has over 1000 buildings listed by the Secretary of State as being of special architectural or historic interest. Listed Building Consent is required for alterations which would affect the special architectural or historic interest of the property. The Council’s conservation experts scrutinise any application to alter a building on The List to ensure that the special architectural or historic interest of the property is not compromised.

Alongside the Statutory List, the Council is in the process of compiling a list of buildings of special local architectural or historic interest known as the Local List currently including over 200 buildings. Whilst inclusion in The Local List does not afford any additional statutory protection, it does ensure that changes that are controlled by the Council do not compromise the special interest of the property.