Conservation areas

A Heritage Statement describes a heritage asset, their significance and the proposed works that are being applied for. When a planning application seeks permission for a development which would affect a heritage asset, a Heritage Statement would be required to justify the impact upon the value or ‘significance’ heritage asset and its setting.

 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2012 (updated 2019) defines the terms below for use with regards to heritage assets and heritage policy.

Heritage asset

A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).

Significance (when used with regards to heritage policy)

The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting.

Setting of a heritage asset

The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral.

When you must submit a Heritage Statement

If a planning application seeks permission for a proposed development affecting a heritage asset or its setting; this would include applications for:

1. A development to a Listed building
2. A development in the setting/adjacent to a listed building
3. A development to properties (Inc. outline) in a conservation area, and
4. A development in the setting of, or adjacent to, a conservation area, and
5. A development in the setting of, or adjacent to, a scheduled monument

Information included in a Heritage Statement

A heritage statement should outline the overall significance of the building, conservation area, neighbouring heritage assets and its setting. This should outline what is of high, medium and low significance, adding to the understanding of the building and how it has changed over time. A heritage statement should include more than a copy of the buildings listed description; however, this is a good start. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance (NPPF para.189). In addition, the heritage statement should assess the potential impact the proposal has on the significance of the building. This can be done in a table form, outlining each element of the proposal,as is shown in the below example:

Feature

Identify all heritage features affected by the proposed development. Description – Detail the feature with regards to its age, design and quality.

Significance

Identify the value of the historical significance of the feature. Proposed works – Detail the proposed works and how they will impact each particular feature.

Possible Impact

Evaluate the impact upon the heritage asset.

Justification/Mitigation

Justify the proposed works, or detail mitigation measures to limit the harm caused by the proposed development.

Further information on assessment of significance and assessing the potential impact of a proposal on that significance, including setting, can be found in (or their future updates):

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Historic England - Good Practice Advice (GPA) note 2 Managing Significance in Decision Taking in the Historic Environment
• Historic England - Good Practice Advice (GPA) note 3 The Setting of Heritage Assets
• Historic England - Heritage Statements of Heritage Significance

For a Listed Building consent application and Conservation area planning applications the following information is required:

• Completed application form
• Ownership certificate and agricultural land declaration
• Site location plan
• Heritage (Design and Access) Statement
• Block/Site plan
• Existing and proposed plans & elevations
• Existing and proposed sections photographic record
• Schedule of works
• Archaeological Assessment (only if your site is within an Archaeological Constraint Area).

This template has been prepared to guide applicants and their agents in preparing heritage statements or statements of heritage significance.  As required by the NPPF, the detail of statements must be proportionate to the significance of the asset and enough to understand the potential impact of a proposal on the significance of a heritage asset. Therefore, in many cases, the template will only serve as a framework and a more detailed assessment will be required; this may include professional building analysis and research or comprehensive reports on significance and impact.  It is strongly suggested that for all proposals that a suitably qualified heritage professional be involved, please see the IHBC (external website) for further information.

If you require further specific conservation advice which is not addressed in the information provided, you can contact the Conservation and Archaeology team.