Heritage Statements

Through research and visual assessment we empower historic building owners to become custodians. Knowing and understanding what is important about an historic buildings is key to informing change.

Our heritage statements are comprehensive and draw upon a wide range of desktop and archival research to fully understand the importance of a site.

With the knowledge gained in understanding the importance and age of a building, a conservation based strategy for development can be prepared, avoiding wasted time in schemes that are unlikely to gain approval and identify where further research is required.

Our heritage statements are not simply a house history. We draw together both research on the social and architectural development of a building to provide an accurate indication of when changes occurred. Our heritage statements are written and structured with annotated plans and illustrations to justify proposals for change and making our reports accessible for our clients and key decision makers to understand.

The outcome of the research and understanding is the heritage statement. A heritage statement is required for alterations to a listed building, but during the planning process this may also be required to support changes to other buildings of interest including locally listed buildings, non-designated buildings and development in a conservation area or in the setting of a listed building.

Under national planning policy, the level of detail of a heritage statement should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. This is a matter of judgement and experience so please contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Case Studies

How do we commission a heritage statement?

Please call us on the number below or email us with your details. If you have any plans and sketches to show what you are trying to achieve this will enable us to provide you with a quotation.

What our clients, local authorities and other stakeholders have said about us

“The (Elizabethan House) building is listed at Grade II* - its significance is comprehensively outlined in the applicant's heritage statement, and the need for restoration is abundantly clear.” Historic England October 2018

“The Heritage statement is an excellent document and the scheme prepared is the most sensitive proposal we have seen for the Manor House, Islip. Given the sensitive nature of the alterations to the house we are minded to grant the extension.”

“Wendy - thanks for this (Heritage Statement). Admirable I would not want or be capable of amending anything ! Thank you.”

JAMES MACKINTOSH ARCHITECTS LIMITED

studio@jmackintosh.com