Owning a Grade II listed property in Cornwall is a privilege, but it comes with strict legal responsibilities. A common misconception is that *any* work requires Listed Building Consent (LBC). Generally, sympathetic "like-for-like" repairs—such as replacing a few slipped scantle slates or repointing a wall with the exact original lime mortar—are classified as maintenance and may not require formal consent. However, changing materials (like introducing cement) is an alteration and is illegal without approval.
We work closely with local Conservation Officers to ensure all interventions protect the historic fabric of the building. By using historically accurate materials and traditional techniques, we not only ensure the structural survival of your property but also ensure full compliance with local heritage regulations, protecting you from potential enforcement actions.
Traditional solid stone walls do not have modern cavity voids or damp-proof courses. They were designed to act like a lung. When it rains, the outer face of the stone and mortar absorbs moisture. When the sun comes out, that moisture evaporates back out. This is known as vapor permeability.
When hard, impervious Portland cement is smeared over these joints, it traps that moisture inside the core of the wall. Because the water cannot escape externally, it searches for the path of least resistance—which is almost always inward, directly into your interior plaster, causing severe damp, mold, and timber rot.
1. Rain saturates the masonry face.
2. Moisture penetrates the porous lime mortar.