A Heritage Impact Assessment is designed to inform of the potential impacts of proposed alterations to a heritage asset and its setting, providing recommendations and advice in order to minimise those impacts and contribute to the creation of a sound heritage-led proposal scheme. 

A Heritage Impact Assessment is required for any application that directly affects a heritage asset or its setting, such as:

• Listed building consent applications.
• Planning permission applications for sites within the setting of a listed building.
• Planning permission applications for sites/buildings in or within the setting of a conservation areas.
•  Planning permission applications for sites within the setting of a scheduled ancient monument.
•  Planning permission applications for sites in or within the setting of registered parks and gardens.
• Conservation area consent applications.

Heritage Impact Assessments should also be submitted for planning permission applications that directly affect a non-designated heritage asset or its setting – including archaeological sites that have a heritage value.

It should be noted that a Heritage Impact Assessment may form part of the Design and Access Statement but the Design and Access Statement is not a substitute for the heritage asset statement or impact assessment.