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WS Heritage is a commercial heritage consultancy supporting land and property owners, investors, developers and their agents in planning and development, across the UK. We also assist large commercial organisations and corporations, charities and government bodies.
Heritage is a broad concept encompassing many dimensions. It evidences and expresses the long process of historic development to form the essence of national, regional and local identities and is an integral part of modern life. It is a reference point and foundation, and therefore a robust basis for change and growth.
It is also a finite and irreplaceable resource, yet its preservation must be managed responsibly, allowing not only enhancement, but also innovation in the enablement of wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.
In Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance, For the sustainable management of the historic environment (Historic England, 2008), it is stated that:
‘The greater the range and strength of heritage values attached to a place, the less opportunity there may be for change, but few places are so sensitive that they, or their settings, present no opportunities for change’.
The National Planning Policy Framework, 2024, defines a heritage asset as a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions.
Heritage assets include both designated heritage assets (scheduled monuments, listed buildings and conservation areas) and assets identified at a local level by the planning authority (such as local listings or non-designated heritage assets).
Principally, the sustenance and enhancement of heritage assets is derived from putting these to viable uses consistent with their conservation, whilst new development should make a positive contribution toward local character and distinctiveness.
Opportunities should be sought to align, consolidate and grow the contribution made by the historic environment toward the character and appearance of a place, seeking its longevity and improvement via the effective yet sustainable use of land.
The nature and scope of our heritage consultancy is varied and extensive, ranging from baseline studies and feasibility for the purposes of concept design and pre-planning enquiry, through to the support of full planning stages and after; including the discharge of conditions and appeal.
Appeals may entail written representation, informal hearing or public inquiry. More typically, our work entails the production of Heritage Statements, seeking either planning permission in a conservation area; within the setting of a listed building; or straightforward listed building consent.
However, we also produce Character Appraisals, Visual Impact Assessments and Statements of Significance, perhaps seeking to have a building de-listed or a conservation area designation revisited with a view to omitting sites from either a new or amended boundary.
Otherwise, we will represent clients before the local planning authority (LPA), should you wish to oppose and object to a proposed development that will impact negatively upon your heritage asset, or the historic environment more generally in some way.
Enforcement or prosecution are also regularly addressed, and we will again act on your behalf to represent your case in writing or in person to either the LPA or Planning Inspectorate, seeking to have any action negotiated toward the satisfaction of all interested parties.