Council surveys listed buildings

Grade I listed Shadwell Court will be surveyed in January

A council in Norfolk is to become one of the first in the UK to carry out a comprehensive survey of all the listed buildings in its district.

Breckland Council will inspect more than 1,600 listed buildings over 18 months to compile a database.

A council spokesman said the exercise would allow it to assist owners in the care and adaptation of their buildings.

It would also preserve the district's unique architectural heritage for future generations, he added.

The council's historic building officer, Andrew Gayton, said: "We wanted to take a proactive approach to ensure we have up-to-date information on these buildings which are an irreplaceable asset for our communities and the district as a whole."

The surveys - which will be carried out by Wilson Compton Associates of Norwich - are expected to start in January 2005.