Heritage consultancy, prepared with rigour and clarity.

01  /  07

Heritage Impact Assessments

Planning-ready statements assessing the significance of a heritage asset and the impact of proposed works.

A Heritage Impact Assessment is required by most local planning authorities for works affecting listed buildings, conservation areas, and the settings of designated heritage assets. The statement identifies the asset's significance, describes the proposed works, and assesses their effect on that significance in line with the NPPF and adopted local policy.

02  /  07

Statements of Significance

Independent assessments of why a building, place, or landscape matters — the foundation for sound conservation decisions.

A Statement of Significance distils the historic, architectural, archaeological, artistic and communal values of a place. It provides the evidence base required by Historic England, the Diocesan Advisory Committees and local authorities, and gives owners a clear framework for managing change.

03  /  07

Written Scheme of Investigation

A pre-recording document setting out the scope, methodology and outputs of a building recording, agreed with the local planning authority.

Before a building recording can begin, a Written Scheme of Investigation is prepared and agreed with the local planning authority. This document sets out the scope, methodology and required outputs of the recording, ensuring it meets the terms of the planning condition.

04  /  07

Building Recording

Level 1–4 written, drawn and photographic records of historic buildings, prepared to Historic England standards.

Building recording is often required as a planning condition where works will alter or remove historic fabric. Records are prepared to the appropriate Historic England level and deposited with the local Historic Environment Record, preserving knowledge of the building for future generations.

05  /  07

Pre-Application Advice

Early-stage guidance on what is likely to be acceptable before time and money are committed to a scheme.

An informed conversation at the outset of a project saves cost, time and disappointment later. Pre-application advice draws on extensive experience inside the local authority conservation team to identify policy constraints, evidential needs and design opportunities before a formal application is prepared.

06  /  07

Pre-Purchase Advice

Heritage due diligence on a listed building or property in a conservation area before exchange of contracts.

Before purchasing a listed building or property within a conservation area, it is prudent to understand the heritage constraints and the realistic scope for alteration. A short pre-purchase report sets out the designations, the significance, the planning history and the likely appetite of the local authority for change.

07  /  07

House & Site Histories

Researched histories of a building or site, drawing on archival, cartographic and documentary sources.

A bespoke house or site history brings together archival research, historic maps, census records, sale particulars and contemporary photographs to tell the story of a place. The result is a well-illustrated, readable document — useful in its own right, and a strong evidential foundation for any subsequent planning work.