Questions to resolve early
What the heritage case needs to establish
Heritage advice should identify what is significant, how the asset or conservation area is experienced, what the proposal would change and how any effect should be addressed. The assessment must be proportionate to the asset and connected to the actual planning decision-not treated as generic architectural history.
Significance and historic fabric
Which elements contribute most to architectural or historic interest, how the building has evolved and where intervention would affect important fabric.
Character, appearance and setting
How scale, form, materials, views, townscape and the relationship between buildings contribute to the asset or conservation area.
Purpose and degree of change
Whether the works are necessary for viable use, how much change is proposed and whether a less harmful design response could meet the same objective.
Evidence and planning balance
What level of assessment is proportionate, what public benefits or other considerations are relevant and how the justification should respond to policy.
Core heritage services
Advice shaped around the asset and proposal
We help clients identify the parts of a site or building that matter, understand where change may be acceptable and prepare a clear planning case for a practical, viable outcome.
Listed Building Consent
We advise on alterations, extensions and changes of use affecting listed buildings. Support can include consent strategy, review of drawings, statements of significance, heritage impact assessment and coordination with the planning application.
Conservation Areas
We advise on development within conservation areas and proposals affecting their setting, interpreting appraisal and policy context and helping shape a scheme that responds credibly to its surroundings.
Heritage Statements
We prepare focused heritage statements that identify significance, assess the effect of the proposal and connect the evidence directly to the planning issues.
Early heritage strategy
Early advice can test the likely consent route, establish where specialist input is required and identify changes that reduce harm without losing the project’s purpose.
A coordinated route to consent
From significance to submission
Establish the heritage context
Review the designation, planning history, conservation area material and available evidence, then identify the proportionate scope of assessment.
Test the design response
Consider scale, layout, materials, detailed interventions and setting before the scheme is fixed, using drawings and CGI where visual explanation is useful.
Prepare a proportionate case
Explain significance, effect and planning justification clearly, coordinating the heritage material with the wider planning application.
Respond through determination
Address proportionate heritage questions raised by the authority and advise on revisions or further evidence where necessary.
Heritage and conservation advice
Discuss the site before the design is fixed
Send us the site address, designation details, existing drawings and a short explanation of the works being considered. We will explain the sensible next step.
