Listing of Heritage Buildings/Precincts in Chennai Metropolitan area

What the guidance covers

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority guidance concerns the identification and conservation of heritage buildings and precincts in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The Development Regulations forming part of the Second Master Plan provide for their conservation through a regulatory process.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has taken up examination of buildings and precincts for heritage listing. The guidance presents broad criteria for that examination, rather than naming individual properties that have been listed.

Who is affected

Any person proposing work on a listed heritage building or precinct in the Chennai Metropolitan Area may be affected. Prior written permission from the Member-Secretary of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is required before carrying out:

• Additions or alterations.
• Repairs or renovation.
• Demolition of the whole building or precinct.
• Demolition of any part of the building or precinct.

The permission requirement comes from the Development Regulations for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The source refers readers to Development Regulation No. 31 and Annexure XXV for details.

Heritage listing criteria

The Heritage Conservation Committee constituted under Government Order Ms. No. 85 of the Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 1 April 2010, decided broad criteria for listing. Historical and social considerations include:

• The date or period of construction and the property's age.
• Social, economic, political or cultural trends reflected by the building or precinct.
• Links to events of local, regional or national significance.
• Links to notable people, groups or institutions.
• Importance to community identity for sentimental or symbolic reasons.

Architectural and physical considerations include:

• Artistic merit, unique design, composition, craftsmanship or details.
• Decoration, colour, texture, massing and notable proportions.
• Features representing a particular architectural style or construction period.
• Association with an architect, engineer, design professional or builder whose work has local, regional or national importance.
• Physical condition, ranging from sound condition to a need for minor or extensive repairs, or dilapidation.
• Design integrity, including whether previous alterations are repairable and whether the property remains worthy of conservation.

Practical significance

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority criteria indicate that age alone does not determine heritage significance. Historical associations, architecture, condition, design integrity and community importance may all be considered when examining a building or precinct for listing.