Our Process
Navigating the planning and listed building consent process can feel daunting at times but we are here to help. Every project is unique, with its own opportunities and constraints. By taking a heritage-led approach, we work closely with clients to develop thoughtful, high-quality proposals that respond sensitively to the historic environment. Our aim is to help secure planning permission and listed building consent while preserving, and where possible enhancing, the significance of each heritage asset. We provide practical, proportionate advice tailored to your project, helping you achieve your objectives while respecting the historic character of the site.
01
Understand the history of the heritage asset; including its form, materials and evolution.
02
Understand the significance of the asset; what matters about it and why.
Our Heritage Report and Statement of Significance cover these first two stages. Assessing significance and understanding what is important about a building or site before a proposal is designed or planned can lead to better outcomes for the applicant and avoid abortive work, raised costs and delays.
If pre-application advice is being sought from the local planning authority (LPA), we would use this information to guide the initial design proposals and those first conversations with the LPA.
03
Understand the impact of the proposal on heritage significance.
04
Avoid, minimise and mitigate negative impact, in a way that meets the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
05
Look for opportunities to better reveal or enhance significance.
If you are planning alterations to a listed building or a site with heritage significance, national planning policy requires the impact of those changes to be carefully considered. The NPPF provides the guidance used by local planning authorities when assessing planning and listed building consent applications. Its aim is to ensure that historic buildings and places are conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced, while allowing sensitive, well-designed change that supports their long-term future.
We help clients navigate the requirements described in stages 3-5 by preparing clear, evidence-based Heritage Impact Assessments that explain the significance of a heritage asset, assess the impact of proposed works, and support successful planning and listed building consent applications.