Why Heritage Consultancy Matters

Heritage assets and significance

Collectively, all the different types of built heritage are known as heritage assets and these fall into two categories: designated heritage assets, those which have formal recognition and protection through legislation, and non-designated heritage assets, those which are mostly identified through planning policy or guidance provisions. The identification of a heritage asset’s significance is fundamental to understanding the asset and its merit. Heritage consultants understand the intricacies of how different types of heritage assets might be identified, valued and protected. Using their professional expertise heritage consultants can assess and define the significance of different types of heritage assets through site investigation/fieldwork and documentary research.

Heritage collaboration

Typically, heritage consultants will work in an interdisciplinary project team working with clients and other professionals including architects, surveyors, structural engineers, ecologists and project managers. The work of a heritage consultant is collaborative, and it is necessary to ensure our built heritage is appropriately considered and cared for when development and change is proposed and there are assorted professional perspectives to consider. Where heritage consultancy is required, the most successful projects will engage with a heritage consultant at the inception of a project

Heritage protection

The heritage protection system in place in the UK is complex and varies between the four nations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In all nations heritage is protected through mechanisms of legislation and planning policy with guidance provided through statutory public bodies including Historic England, Historic Scotland, CADW and Historic Environment Division (HED) Northern Ireland. Heritage consultants have an expert understanding of legislation, policy and guidance and can provide clients and project teams with the appropriate advice and apply this to proposals

Managing change through the planning system

Most heritage assets are not identified and protected to prevent change, but they are identified and protected so change can be managed and their significance protected. In the UK it is through the mechanisms of the planning system that change is managed - through the process of planning permission, and where listed buildings are concerned through the process of listed building consent. Heritage consultants understand the planning system and will use their professional expertise to steer proposals through the complexities of the planning process

Heritage-based documentation

Heritage consultants prepare different types of heritage-based documents to inform and support projects and provide documentation that is formally required as part of an application process. The documentation produced by heritage consultants may be used to manage heritage, support applications submitted through the planning system or record buildings prior to change or loss. Documents produced by heritage consultants include Statements of Significance, Heritage Statements (Heritage Impact Assessments), Conservation Management Plans and Historic Building Records.

The value of heritage consultancy

A heritage consultant will be of value to any project that is directly involved with a heritage asset or assets or has potential to impact on heritage assets. A heritage consultant may help clients avoid legal penalties, avoid abortive work and unnecessary cost, reduce the likelihood of formal application refusal and reduce time delays in a project. Early engagement with a heritage consultant can be key to a successful heritage-based project. Any questions about H+R Heritage Consultancy services please contact us.