Heritage Statements and Statements of Significance
Description of the Service
Under policy HE6 (Information requirements for applications for consent affecting heritage assets) of PPS5, Local Planning Authorities require an applicant requiring Listed Building Consent or Conservation Area consent to provide a description of the significance of the heritage assets affected, and the contribution of their setting to that significance.
The policy also directs Local Planning Authorities not to validate applications where the extent of the impact of the proposed works on the significance of the heritage asset cannot be adequately understood from the submitted application, and its supporting documentation. Apart from the completion of an application form; the preparation of scaled drawings (plans, elevations & sections ‘as existing’ and ‘as proposed’ – usually at 1:50 scale); constructional details of new elements such as doors and windows (at 1:10 & 1:2) and accompanying photographs of the building/structure a Statement of Significance & Impact will also be required. PPS5 directs that the level of detail in the statement should be proportionate to the importance of the heritage asset and that no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact on the significance of the heritage asset.
Every application (relating to a designated heritage asset) will need to be accompanied by a Statement of Significance & Impact as part of the Council’s application validation system.
The Historic Environment Practice Guide (associated with PPS5) states that applicants should, as a minimum, submit information relating to the following:
- Check the local development plan; the main local and national records, including the relevant Historic Environment Record (HER); statutory and local lists; the National Monuments Record (NMR), the Heritage Gateway and other relevant sources of information* that would provide an understanding of the history of the place (building/site) and the value the asset holds for society.
- An examination of the asset and its setting. This should comprise a thorough visual and physical analysis of the heritage asset (and its setting & context) based on, and utilising, all the information as obtained in section 1, above.
- A consideration as to whether the nature of the affected significance requires an expert assessment, in order to gain the necessary level of understanding to inform the proposed works to the asset.
The Local Planning Authority is unlikely to validate applications that do not provide this information (1 & 2, and 3 where applicable) as a minimum requirement.
The inspection
On the basis of item 2 above, it is necessary to ask a Heritage Consultant or Historic Environment specialist, such as David Rawlins DipBldgCons FRICS IHBC, to undertake a detailed inspection of the property, and, if possible, the adjacent structures, to enable a record to be taken of the various stages of alterations to the building since it was built.
Background research will also be involved, including the documents outlined in item 1 and an assessment given as to any potential for archaeology by reference to public documents. The Research is likely to require visits to Historic Archives as well as reference to the NMR. Any costs charged by such Organisations, travel costs etc will be in addition to fees quoted, which will be based on the estimated time involved. The time taken must depend on the complexity of the structure found. The inspection is not a building survey and no comment is made with regard to condition.
The amount of detail required by the Statement will depend on the complexity of the property and the significance that such application will have on the property and the community.
Please call David Rawlins DipBldgCons FRICS IHBC to discuss. Tel 01757 249327