Grade I listed · County Durham

Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library

Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library is a Grade I listed building in County Durham, first listed on 10 March 1988. It is one of 102 Grade I entries among 3,091 listed buildings in County Durham; 84% of County Durham’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library
Grade	Grade I — exceptional interest
List entry number	1160838
Date first listed	10 March 1988
Local planning authority	County Durham
Location	54.77488, -1.57646 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1160838

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents County Durham will require for your works on Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest — only about 2.5% of listed buildings in England. Any application for listed building consent is notified to Historic England, and alterations are scrutinised closely.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library

Name	Grade	Distance
Cosin'S Library (University Library)	II*	15 m
University Library	II	28 m
Castle Gatehouse, Entrance Gateway, Side Walls, Linking Walls and Front Wall	I	37 m
Music Library	II	55 m
The Castle West Range	I	65 m
The Keep (University College)	I	77 m
9 Owengate	II	77 m
Old Grammar School (University Music Department)	II*	79 m
The Castle North Range	I	87 m
Former Grammar School (University Police Office)	II	88 m

Frequently asked questions

Is Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library listed?

Yes. Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, list entry number 1160838, first listed on 10 March 1988. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to Former Exchequer Building, Now University Library?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from County Durham, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.