Writing Heritage Statements Toolkit
Introduction
This toolkit has been prepared to guide local authorities and registered providers of social housing in the process of writing a heritage statement.
Contents
Summary
A heritage statement is an important document that evaluates the significance of a heritage asset. It assesses the impact of proposed developments on the asset, ensuring that any changes respect and preserve its value for future generations.
The National Planning Policy Framework requires that applicants submit a heritage statement with applications for listed building consent and with planning applications if the development involves or affects a heritage asset. This toolkit provides a template for applicants to use when considering energy efficiency measures that will affect a heritage asset. It does not therefore deal with underground heritage, such as archaeology.
When should you use this toolkit?
The applicant or agent will use this toolkit at the beginning of any project involving a heritage asset to ensure the impact of all proposed developments have been considered.
How should you use this toolkit?
This toolkit template is a guide only. The level of detail required within your respective statement will be dependent on the size and nature of your proposal and the significance of the heritage asset affected.
The heritage statement should be detailed enough to enable the potential impact of proposed works to be clearly understood. For large-scale proposals, significant heritage assets, or sites where the heritage importance has not yet been established, further information may be required in the application process.
Additional supplementary information, providing an understanding on key terms relevant to the writing of heritage statements, can be found in the ‘Heritage Statement Key Terms’ quick guide on the RISE website.