Changes to Historic Terraced Housing
Terraced housing is found across England and can be of many ages and types. If you are planning changes to a historic terraced house, many of the pages in this section will provide practical advice on issues to consider.
We have also published an advice note, 'Conserving Georgian and Victorian terraced housing'. If you are planning to make changes to a historic terraced house it will help you to understand what is special about your property.
It identifies issues to consider when planning alterations and provides helpful information for making planning applications. The emphasis is on balancing your needs as the home-owner with the historic significance of the building so any changes are sympathetic to both parties.
The note will also help local authorities and others in implementing historic environment legislation and policy.
Types of work to older houses
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I Want to Extend My House
When deciding on an extension it’s important to understand how the house has changed in the past, its character and how it sits in its surroundings.
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Repair or Change Windows
Historic windows of interest should be retained wherever possible using careful repair.
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I Want to Alter a Door
Historic doors - both internal and external - play a key role in your house's character and should be retained wherever possible.
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Repair or Renew the Roof
The roof not only shelters your home from the weather, but is often an important part of its historic significance too.
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I Want to Convert My Loft
Think carefully before converting the loft of an old house, as it will affect the house interior, the roof structure and the outside of the roof.
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I Want to Add a Conservatory
Useful information if you are thinking of adding a conservatory to an older house.
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I Want to Change the Internal Layout
As the layout is one of a building's most important characteristics think carefully before you begin to make any plans.
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I Want to Put in a New Bathroom
As most older houses were built without bathrooms they were converted from bedrooms. Today, at least one upstairs bathroom is the norm.
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I Want to Update My Kitchen
How kitchens look and how people use them is very different today from in the past.
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I Want to Change My Fireplace
Even though gas fires and central heating are now used for heating, many houses still have old fireplaces.
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I Want to Redecorate My House
External redecoration protects your older home from the weather, while internal redecoration allows you to make the most of its original features.
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I Want to Alter the Area Around My House
If your house is listed or in a conservation area its garden or surrounding area is also given some protection through the planning system.
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Installing Services
You may wish to install, replace or upgrade building services, such as gas or heating pipes and electrical wiring, in your historic building.
