Heritage statements guidance note (PDF) - Lake District National Park

Heritage Statements
What are they and when do i need to submit one?
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
May 2012

Introduction
Heritage Statements are required as part of the information submitted with planning related applications 1 when
the proposed development might affect an archaeological site or historic building. The requirement for Heritage
Statements is included in the National Planning Policy Framework (the NPPF).
What does the NPPF say?
The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the Government’s policies on different aspects of spatial
planning in England. The NPPF sets out planning policies on the conservation of the historic environment.
Paragraph 128 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that:
“In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance
of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be
proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of
the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been
consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which
development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest,
local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where
necessary, a field evaluation.”
To meet the requirements of national planning policy we will expect applications affecting heritage assets to be
accompanied by a heritage statement before we will consider the application.
When are Heritage Statements needed?
To ensure the requirements of the NPPF are met, we will require that a Heritage Statement is submitted before we
validate applications the following types of application:
• Applications for listed building consent
• Applications within the curtilage of a listed building
• Applications in Conservation Areas (including planning applications)
• Applications affecting Scheduled Ancient Monuments 2
• Applications affecting a Registered Park or Garden of Special Historic Interest;
• Applications affecting an archaeological site.
• Applications affecting unlisted buildings or structures identified by the LDNPA as heritage assets in the Local
Development Framework
What are Heritage Statements and Heritage Assets?
A Heritage Statement outlines the significance of a heritage asset and the likely impact of proposed development
upon that significance. Heritage assets are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes that are
positively identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning applications. They are
the valued components of the historic environment and include:
• Designated assets (i.e. Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens of special
historic interest, Conservation Areas);
• Non-designated assets (eg. archaeological sites and historic buildings recorded in the Lake District Historic
Environment Record; other historic assets identified by the LDNPA through the planning process).
1
applications for planning permission, listed building consent, or conservation area consent
2
these developments may also require Scheduled Monument Consent from English Heritage
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Can I write a Heritage Statement myself?
Maybe. We need a Heritage Statement to be accurate and appropriate, but we will take a proportionate approach
to what we expect depending on the scale and nature of the proposal and the heritage asset.
Where a development is small and impacts are likely to be limited, a short heritage statement written by the
applicant may well be adequate.
In some cases though, the scale of the proposed development or the nature and importance of known heritage
contractor. This will ensure that an appropriate statement is submitted. In such cases additional work may be
required such as archaeological evaluation or analytical building survey. In these circumstances we may supply a
brief outlining our requirements for the Heritage Statement.
What will be in a Heritage Statement?
The scope and degree of detail which is required in a Heritage Statement will vary according to the particular
circumstances of each proposal. The statement should be proportionate to the situation. For example, a major
produced heritage statement. A small-scale scheme which has only limited impacts meanwhile will probably only
need a very short statement. There are however a number of basics which all Heritage Statements will need to
cover.
A Heritage Statement should always have three parts:
heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological,
architectural, artistic or historic).
(2) Assessment of impact - an assessment of the likely impact of the proposed development on the heritage
asset(s) and their setting.
(3) Mitigation strategy - a statement outlining a mitigation strategy to address any impacts of the proposed
design and/or archaeological or architectural investigation and recording.
The
thinks about what the relevant heritage asset is, and explains why the
heritage asset is important. For example it may talk about what gives a Conservation Area its character, or discuss
why a building has been listed.
All heritage statements will include:
•
• Supporting information as necessary. Supporting information may include:
o A location plan of suitable scale showing the site, its size, extent and context;
o All necessary large scale existing plans, elevations, site levels, sections, context drawings and
perspectives of the heritage asset, its setting and wider context;
o Photographs, dated, numbered and cross-referenced to a plan;
o Any available information from the Lake District Historic Environment Record;
o Information from early maps.
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

•
Schemes proposing major alterations or demolition of Listed Buildings and other historic buildings and structures
- the following may be required:
• A full analytical, architectural survey. This will need to be carried out to a brief supplied by the LDNPA.
• Reference to the relevant conservation area appraisal and management plan where adopted;
•
and its setting;
• Where demolition or substantial alteration is proposed, a full analytical, architectural survey to an agreed brief.
and the impact of proposals.
Writing your Heritage Statement - Assessment of Impact
The Assessment of Impact
the relevant heritage asset. For example this section may discuss how an extension to a property would impact
All heritage statements will include:
• A schedule of proposed works to the heritage asset and /or its setting;
• All necessary large scale plans, elevations, sections, context drawings and perspectives which show the impact
of the proposed works on the heritage asset, it setting and wider context;
• A statement of impact assessing:
•
o
o
o
should be applied.
heritage asset;
These should be prepared by a structural engineer and/or an Architect (both experienced in working with historic
buildings), and identify, where appropriate:
• the structural stability and condition of the asset, including any defects;
• a schedule/method statement of proposed repairs;
• a statement of how the stability of the structure and adjoining structures and their weather protection is to be
safeguarded during the works;
•
works;
• a statement identifying how the structure is to be safely demolished.
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Area the following will be required:
•
•
• A structural survey and method statement prepared by an engineer experienced in working with historic
buildings. This should identify the structural stability and condition of the asset together with a statement
identifying how the stability of the structure and adjoining structures is to be safeguarded during
development or how the structure is to be safely demolished.
and the impact of proposals.
Writing your Heritage Statement - Mitigation Strategy
The Mitigation Strategy explains what steps have been taken to avoid, minimise or mitigate any harm to
A mitigation strategy should consider the following:
• Minimal intervention and reversible works: Are all the works absolutely required for the proposed use or
function? Can new work be designed so that it can easily be installed and removed at some later date without
• Alternative methods of development: examining whether other options exist to meet the applicant’s
objectives. Could a less sensitive part of the building be used to accommodate a proposed use or function?
Could a new building or extension be repositioned so it is less detrimental to the setting of an archaeological
feature or historic building?
• Sensitive design: examples include the installation of new services in a discreet manner so as not to
compromise the qualities of a room, or skilfully designing an extension that takes account of the physical
massing and scale in both the old and the new work;
• Choice of materials: the careful selection of construction materials for new and repair works can avoid both
visual and longer-term structural harm to a building;
• Recording: a programme for investigation and recording of architectural or archaeological features that would
be obscured, damaged or destroyed.
Identifying such approaches in your impact statement would help us to understand your design approach and
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

Useful sources of information
There are a wide range of resources and further sources of information available to help you write your
heritage statement:
• The Lake District Historic Environment Record (LDHER) contains information on non-designated features,
Listed Buildings and Registered Park and Gardens of Historic Interest. Information on Scheduled
at http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/
• The National Heritage List for England provides details of: Listed Buildings; Scheduled Monuments;
http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/
• Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans - we have detailed appraisals for many of our
Conservation Areas. The Appraisals identify which buildings within a conservation area make a positive
as trees, landmarks, important views and the character of public and private open spaces. They can be
downloaded from our website: http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/index/planning/conservation_areas
• MAGIC is an interactive map service which brings together environmental information from across
government. It includes information on Scheduled Monuments and many other types of designation:
http://magic.defra.gov.uk/
•
in Kendal and Carlisle - these can be useful in identifying changes to the size and form of buildings as well as
their settings.
• Early maps, including Ordnance Survey 1 st and 2 nd Edition can be consulted at the relevant County Record
www.old-maps.co.uk
• Local History and Conservation Societies exist in a number of towns and villages within The National Park.
• The HELM website, managed by English Heritage, is a good source of information on planning and the
historic environment www.helm.org.uk/
• Understanding Historic Buildings: Policy and Guidance for Local Planning Authorities (English Heritage,
2008) http://www.helm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Understanding-historic.pdf?1296215708
• Conservation Principles. Policy and Guidance for the sustainable management of the Historic
Environment. (English Heritage, 2008) http://www.helm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Conservation_Principles_
Policies_and_Guidance_April08_Web.pdf?1296645421
• Climate Change and Your Home - information on climate change and guidance on its impact on traditional
buildings is available at: http://www.climatechangeandyourhome.org.uk/live/
• National Amenity Societies such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), The Georgian
Group, The Victorian Society and The Twentieth Century Society publish extensive material on their websites
and in books and journals.
• Informed Conservation by K Clark. English Heritage. 2001. Detailed Guidance on understanding and recording
the historic environment.
• Images of England website for details and images of listed buildings http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/
• British Listed Buildings website for details of listed buildings http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/
Please be aware that this list is by no means exhaustive, and that other sources of useful information may
exist. This list of information sources will be added to as the Authority becomes aware of other relevant texts.

Appendix 1: Statement of significance and impact assessment table
Proposed works (item by item) Significance of the historic fabric/area
that will be affected
Impact of the proposed works on
the historic fabric and significance
of the specific feature/area of the
heritage asset
Impact of the proposed works on the
historic fabric and significance of the
heritage asset as a whole

Contact us
Lake District National Park Authority
Murley Moss Business Park
Oxenholme Road
Kendal
LA9 7RL
Telephone: 01539 724555
Fax: 01539 740822
Minicom: 01539 792690
Email: hq@lakedistrict.gov.uk
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
Advice on archaeological sites or historic
buildings can be obtained from our
Conservation and Design Advisor, or our
Archaeology and Heritage Advisors.
A duty planning officer is available Monday
to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm
to talk to either by phone or in person at
our Kendal offices. We also run planning
surgeries in Keswick, Glenridding and
Gosforth where you can meet an officer in
person. Please see our website or call us for
details of surgery times and locations.