I’d like to see current ‘listed status’ of certain properties and buildings dissolve into the history it supposedly protects. I’m beginning to think that the system is unfair and needs an overhaul. The system, it seems, protects buildings for the nation – but not the whole nation.

According to English Heritage, ‘listing helps us acknowledge and understand our shared historyl. I’d love to think that this is true but sadly it isn’t always the case. Of the many listed buildings open to the public many are simply not safe or accessible for disabled people.

Dim lighting, small doorways and of course, stairs (not lifts) means that disabled people are often denied that ‘shared’ experience. Of those that are accessible, more than a few require disabled people to be let in by the ‘back door’ after presumably waiting out front whilst somebody else dashes in and explains the ‘problem’.

There are 374,000 listed buildings in the UK. Sadly, I don’t know how many are accessible.

Anyway, as English Heritage points out: ‘It marks and celebrates a building’s special architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system so that some thought will be taken about its future’.

Well, there you have it: ‘Consideration of the planning system’. Presumably, on some occasions, they don’t consider disabled people worthy enough to be granted equal access to buildings that they might well help to pay for through taxation or other public funding.

The problem appears to be a simple one: Equipment for disabled people isn’t in keeping with buildings – that after all, have been ‘listed’ for special qualities. Surely, an ugly ramp or lift can’t be added to a building of such measure. Such a move would be an act of vandalism wouldn’t it?

So, is an act of vandalism any better than an act of prejudice? Curious too, that the ‘listed issue’ doesn’t seem to prohibit the gaudy tat-selling gift shop at the end of the trail, or the odorous café, or even great swathes of green fields cut into car parks and littered with cones.

There are 374,000 listed buildings in the UK. Sadly, I don’t know how many are accessible. All I’d like to see is fair treatment. English Heritage, National Trust and all other owners of publicly open buildings have a responsibility to share access properly.

It isn’t impossible. In March 2012, the 400 year-old Burghley House (arguably one of England’s greatest buildings) installed a chairlift that has since transported more than 2,500 disabled visitors up it’s magnificent ‘Hell’s Stairs’ to the serene ‘Heaven Room’ and beyond.

Why can’t more follow Burghley’s enlightened path. After all, as English Heritage also states: “Listed buildings can be altered, extended and sometimes even demolished within government planning guidance.”

I’m suggesting that the listing system is being abused. So many owners clearly use it to draw visitors, harvest public monies and worse still, register themselves as ‘charities’. I think that such support should be withdrawn until they prove worthy of it. Are listed buildings ‘protected’ or ‘prohibited’?