Heritage statement

When is a Heritage Statement needed?

A Heritage Statement is required if your project links to either:

The purpose of a Heritage Statement is to:

identify the significance of the protected building or area (this is called the heritage asset)
justify your project

The level of detail you should provide depends on the importance of the heritage asset.

Effective statements will:

identify the site, including any outbuildings and boundaries
identify what type of heritage asset it is (e.g. a Listed Building, Conservation area etc.)
describe the asset's nature (e.g. age, building type, materials used, general character) referring to its description on the building list or conservation area appraisal if possible
show how the development site links to its surroundings
show the asset's significance (use the guidance from Historic England (opens new window))
describe the project (including scale, height, construction methods, materials, design, details, and any associated landscaping)
show how the project affects the asset and/or its setting including (if needed):
- loss or concealment of any key features
- any compromised views
- any impact on the relationship between buildings
- any other impacts
explain how the project will preserve, enhance, or increase awareness of the asset
explain the steps you'll take to minimize or prevent any harm to the asset
provide photographs or other evidence which explain or justify the proposal

You can find more information in:

our Local Plan 2003 (Policies HE2, HE4, HE5, HE7 - HE10, HE12)
our Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2019 (policy D3)
the The National Planning Policy Framework 2019 (para 194)
Planning Policy Statement 5 Practice Guide
the National Planning Policy Guidance for Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (ID.18, paras 008 - 014)