Photo by: Emma Bensalem

Areas of Practice & Projects

HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

HIAs represent the core of our work and we produce these on a regular basis. We use cartographic and documentary evidence, archival resources and, where available, oral history to assess the historic development and heritage significance of any relevant heritage assets. This often includes assessing the contribution that an asset’s setting makes to its significance or the contribution that a site makes to the setting of other Heritage Assets. The site may contribute to the significance of numerous, overlapping assets, such as a listed building located within the setting of other listed buildings and which falls within the conservation area. An objective assessment of the heritage impact of the proposed scheme is then produced along with recommendations for avoiding or mitigating harm to significance. Usually we will be involved in helping develop a scheme of work to ensure that harm to significance is minimised and that opportunities for better revealing significance are pursued. The quality of our input is reflected in the high success rate we enjoy in helping our clients obtain Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission. 

COMMERCIAL

We work with a range of commercial clients assessing the heritage impact of major commercial developments ranging from residential schemes, engineering works and renewable energy projects. We also work on smaller commercial sites such as hotels, shops and schemes for residential conversions. Our commercial work takes us all our England and we have recently worked on commercial schemes located in Wiltshire and Suffolk.

LISTED BUILDING CONSENT & PLANNING CONSULTANCY

We regularly provide input into the development of suitable schemes for the development of listed buildings, conservation areas and sites within their settings.  Site visits, research, advice on sympathetic proposals, production of Heritage Impact Assessments, building recording and condition discharge are all part of our ‘bread and butter’ work. We are normally involved from the outset of a project but are sometimes asked to help find a way forward where it looks likely that an application will be refused. Whilst we normally work alongside architects and agents, we can lead on the submission of applications for Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission. We also advise on strategic policy and have supported charities and major landowners to comment on local and national heritage related policy consultations.  We also advise Councils and charities who do not have their own in-house heritage specialists.

NATIONAL PARKS/AONBS HERITAGE & SETTING

We have many years of experience working as Building Conservation Officers for the North York Moors National Park Authority where we learnt much about the issues surrounding rural heritage in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty both within Yorkshire and throughout the country. We have advised on applications for major and minor developments within, and within the setting of, nationally designated landscapes and developed associated, strategic policy.

APPEALS, HEARINGS & PUBLIC INQUIRIES

Due to the significant experience that we bring to the table, applications that we are involved in are often approved. Where applications are refused however, we are happy to support appellants with the Appeals Process. We have contributed to the success of a variety of appeals through Written Representations and by acting as Expert Witnesses at Hearings and Inquiries.

GRANTS, ACCESS, INTERPRETATION AND THERMAL EFFICIENCY

We have a very high rate of success with grant applications for heritage sites at risk, ranging from listed buildings to Conservation Areas.  We have advised on schemes for both the interpretation of heritage sites and for the enhancement of the thermal efficiency of historic buildings of solid wall construction.