The Heritage Statement is a dominant feature of the planning process. To prepare such a statement, the site is visited and an illustrated report prepared.

For sites that include historic buildings (designated and non-designated), the report will include a structure-based analysis to determine their origin and evolution, and that of their setting. The assessment is supplemented by historic cartographic evidence and basic research derived from internet sources and our extensive in-house archive.

The results of the assessment will enable the significance of the asset to be determined, essential to understand the impact of any proposed alterations to the structure or site.

As part of the report the impact of any proposed alterations upon the significance and setting of the asset can be made and where possible, options to reduce the potential impact produced.

Please note that we endeavour to justify proposed changes as far as is possible in heritage terms, if the changes serve to enhance, and do not harm, the special character or significance of the buildings and their setting. It is important to note that in some instances changes to historic buildings or structures may include impacts that cannot be justified in heritage terms alone.

It is therefore important to provide a package of supporting documentation that enable a holistic assessment to be made in line with the guidance provided in Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Sub-surface Archaeological Impacts:

It should be noted that where future sub-surface impact is proposed (for example, new services or foundations for an extension) then the relevant Historic Environment Record (HER) should be consulted. The HER is maintained by the relevant Local Authority and a charge is made, paid to that Council when making the request. The results of the HER usually take between 5 and 15 days to be issued (depending on the authority). In many counties, consultation of the HER is mandatory as per the following statement issued by ESCC:

‘We undertake pre-application consideration and screen out low impact projects and otherwise recommend if an HER consultation report would be useful. You will find this system is now in place in Lewes, Wealden, SDNP, Rother and Hastings as part of their validation process. So if the validation team spot the HER has not been consulted / or there is not an email from us or the Conservation officer saying there is no need to consult the HER, the application will not be validated’.

Please see ‘Links’ for relevant HER websites.