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Who decides what's historic?

In the UK, local authorities often decide what's historic, listing buildings like St Andrew's Church for their special architectural or historical interest. Historic England, a public body, also plays a key role, advising on and managing the national register of protected sites and buildings. This helps preserve our heritage for future generations.

Stories that explain this

Historic Leicester church roof destroyed by a large fire

Questions this opens up

What is a listed building? Who is Historic England? Can a building lose its listing?

Related explainers

What makes a building historic? What happens after a church fire? How old is St Andrew's Church? Why are smoke plumes dangerous? Who tackles big city fires? How do airports decide to close? Who decides airport closures? Who decides bank holidays?

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