Chartered Architects & Heritage Consultants passionate about
breathing new life into heritage buildings
We work on a range of building sizes and types, everything from cottages to castles
Our projects are nationwide but primarily in London and the Home Counties;
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Hampshire
Heritage Consultancy & Heritage Statements
Do you already have an Architect and need heritage input or additional support for a planning or Listed Building Application? We don't just work for ourselves, we provide heritage support for a whole range of amazing Consultants and Architects and can tailor our service to meet your individual needs. We can integrate into an existing design team providing supplementary services, allowing you to focus on your strengths for maximum efficiency.
What is a Heritage Statement?
A Heritage Statement is a report often required as part of a planning application or consent application that involves Heritage Assets, including Listed buildings or Conservation Areas. If you’re planning to make changes to a Listed or heritage building, then the answer is you will probably need one.
A Heritage Statement is needed to provide an understanding of the change that has occurred on a site over time to establish the history and development of a building or site, to better understand its historic significance. This process is key to providing the local authority with information on which to base their decision-making process, but also to provide early and clear advice to inform design proposals that may result in a change to the asset or its setting.
Heritage Statements are needed for any development proposals for planning permission or Listed building consent applications which affect any heritage asset type. A local authority will often request one as a condition of validating an application. These are needed if your proposal sits within the context of a Conservation Area or Listed building.
It is also very useful to produce a Heritage Statement when submitting a pre app with a local authority as it acts as a briefing document for the assessing officer demonstrating that care and diligence has been exercised for the early stages.
What's included in a Heritage Statement?
A Heritage Statement sets out the history and significance of a site or building, and explains how proposed development works respond to its historic context. The scope and level of detail will vary depending on the significance of the asset, its setting, and the scale of the project.
Typically, it includes:
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Historic analysis – research into the evolution of the asset using maps, photographs, archival sources and an assessment of the building fabric.
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Photographic record – a clear visual survey of the site, its setting, and key features, often cross-referenced with drawings.
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Assessment of significance – an evaluation of the archaeological, architectural and historical importance of the asset and its setting.
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Impact assessment – an explanation of how the proposed works may affect that significance, whether through changes to the building itself or its wider context.
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Design review and justification – a reasoned case for the proposals, including how the design has been informed by the heritage context and how any harm has been avoided or minimised.
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Mitigation measures – where required, strategies to reduce impact and support a sensitive outcome.
We review drawings and proposals as part of the process, providing feedback to help refine the design, improve clarity, and support a successful application.
About our Heritage Discover Pack
Who is it for?
Our Heritage Discovery Pack is designed for clients considering a Listed Building or a property within a Conservation Area, and offers clear guidance on constraints, opportunities and feasibility.
In our experience the process of working with a Listed Building does require specialist knowledge, and a little more care, to ensure the quality and integrity of any application and a successful outcome. For those at an earlier stage, our Heritage Discovery Pack provides a proportionate, pre-purchase or early-stage assessment to help you understand a site before making a larger commitment.
The Heritage Discovery Pack includes:
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A site visit and initial consultation
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Historical background and significance review to understand the reasons for listing
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A planning history check
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Review of your brief against site constraints Sketch options for potential alterations or extensions
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Guidance on Listed Building Consent and planning processes
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Advice on energy efficiency improvements
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Guidance on procurement, CDM and working with specialist contractors
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Option for pre-application discussion with a Conservation Officer
Why is it benefical?
This early-stage advice helps identify opportunities, flag potential challenges, and ensure that proposals are aligned with the building’s significance—supporting better decisions from the outset.
While not a substitute for a full Heritage Statement, the Heritage Discovery Pack establishes a clear understanding of the site and your brief. It helps identify opportunities and constraints early, informing design development and laying the groundwork for the more detailed analysis required at the next stage.
We work with home owners, commercial developers, business owners and alongside other architects to transform heritage buildings to meet their specific needs. Specialising in heritage design and the retrofit of traditional buildings, our highly experienced and friendly team offer a full range of architectural services, to guide you and help demystify each step of the design and build process.
Why should I use a Heritage Specialist?
Hiring a Heritage Consultant to help with planning permission can be vital to help you turn a Listed building or historic property into your perfect abode. They are specially qualified to maximise the potential of your historic property, with the experience and knowledge required to successfully transform older buildings.
By using a specialist to engage with heritage issues from the beginning (rather than ignoring them!), you will be in a better position to put forward a project design which is not only higher quality, but also more likely to achieve successful planning permission outcomes.
What is a Listed building & do I have one?
A building is Listed when it is of special architectural or historic interest, considered to be of national importance and therefore worth protecting. As the term implies, a Listed building is actually added to a list: the National Heritage List for England. You can use this to discover whether your home is listed and if so, what grade it is. The following website will allow you to do a map search: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/
Please be aware that your building can also be locally listed by your Local Authority.
These properties are almost always in Conservation Areas and it is important to check with you local authority to see if your building requires additional consideration when carrying out work. Local Listing does not offer the same degree of protection to the building however it is a material consideration when determining planning applications.
If you have a Listed building then you must obtain consent prior to carrying out work. This is regardless of the Grade of Listing.
