A Heritage Statement describes the architectural and historic significance of a heritage asset. Simply put, a heritage asset is a building, monument, site, area or landscape which is considered to hold historic interest and which contributes to our understanding of the past, and can be above or below ground. Heritage Statements will identify the impact of any proposed changes on the significance or special interest of the asset, and will seek to justify those impacts.

A Heritage Statement is normally required to accompany a planning or listed building consent application which affects a heritage asset or its setting, either directly or indirectly. It can be used by an applicant to demonstrate that they understand the significance of the asset and that the proposed changes have been designed to better reveal or add to the asset’s significance, or at least to minimise any harm to it.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the document that sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied, requires that the local planning authority asks applicants to describe the significance of any heritage asset which may be affected, including consideration of its setting, and that the level of detail should be sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on the significance.

The term ‘Heritage Statement’ can be used to include a Statement of Significance, a Heritage Impact Assessment or a justification statement, and it may also be incorporated into a Design and Access Statement.

The NPPF states that ‘heritage assets should be assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary’, so while an applicant may be comfortable writing a Heritage Statement for small or minor works, it can often be useful to seek the advice, guidance and skills of a professional heritage consultant or conservation architect, particularly for larger or more complex assets or where major changes are involved.

A Heritage Statement should identify the heritage asset or assets that may be affected by the proposals, so it is important to understand your site and the historic environment in which it is located. This may be done through assessing the background and development of a site or building, using historic maps or archives.

The Statement should identify what makes the asset significant or important in terms of archaeological, architectural, historic or artistic interest. Using photographs can be greatly beneficial in identifying important elements or areas of change.

It should also reference planning and heritage policy so that any proposals comply with policy or legislation. If any harm to the heritage asset may result from the proposals, mitigation proposals illustrating how this will be minimised or balanced against any improvements or public benefits should be set out.

Seeking advice before undertaking any works or commissioning architectural designs, either from the local planning authority or a heritage consultancy, can often help ensure a smoother process and a successful outcome for the applicant.

Further information

Contact Savills Planning

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