Heritage Statement Template

# Heritage Statement

**Applicant:** [Name]
**Site Address:** [Full address]
**Application Type:** [Listed Building Consent / Planning Permission / Both]
**Date:** [Date]
**Prepared by:** [Name, qualifications, organisation]

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## 1. Introduction

This Heritage Statement has been prepared in support of the application for [description of works] at [address]. The statement:

- Identifies and assesses the significance of the heritage asset(s) affected
- Describes the proposed works and their impact on significance
- Demonstrates that the proposals meet the tests set out in the NPPF

The statement has been prepared in accordance with:
- NPPF (December 2024), Chapter 16 — Conserving and enhancing the historic environment
- Historic England Advice Note 12: Statements of Heritage Significance

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## 2. Designation and Statutory Context

**Listed Building:** [Grade I / II* / II / Not listed]
**List Entry Number:** [Reference]
**Date of Listing:** [Date]
**Conservation Area:** [Name / Not applicable]
**Scheduled Monument:** [Reference / Not applicable]
**Registered Park & Garden:** [Grade / Not applicable]

**Relevant legislation:**
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, ss.16, 66, 72
- Planning Act 2008 (for certain consents)

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## 3. Site History and Evolution

### Historical Development
[Describe the history of the building or site from construction to present day. Use historic maps, photographs, and records from the Historic Environment Record (HER). Reference key dates, owners, and uses.]

### Architectural Description
[Describe the current fabric in detail — external and internal features, materials, construction techniques, phasing of development. Identify original fabric and later alterations.]

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## 4. Assessment of Significance

*Significance is assessed using the four values set out in Historic England's Conservation Principles (2008):*

### 4.1 Evidential Value
[What physical evidence does the asset provide about past human activity? Original fabric, archaeological potential, construction techniques.]

### 4.2 Historical Value
[What associations does the asset have with notable people, events, or periods? Is it illustrative of social, cultural, or economic history?]

### 4.3 Aesthetic Value
[What are the architectural or artistic qualities of the asset? Does it make a positive contribution to the streetscape or wider setting?]

### 4.4 Communal Value
[What does the asset mean to people — local communities, groups with cultural or social associations? Is it cherished or used by the public?]

### Overall Significance Summary
[Summarise the significance of the asset and identify which elements contribute most strongly.]

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## 5. Setting

[Describe the setting of the listed building/conservation area, identifying which elements positively contribute to its significance and how the proposed development affects that setting. Reference Historic England's Setting Guidance (2017).]

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## 6. Description of Proposed Works

[Describe the proposed works clearly — what is being added, removed, altered, or repaired. Reference drawings and photographs.]

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## 7. Impact Assessment

### 7.1 Direct Impact on Significance
[Assess the impact of works directly affecting the fabric — what significance is preserved, harmed, or enhanced?]

### 7.2 Impact on Setting
[Assess the impact on the setting of the asset and its contribution to significance.]

### 7.3 Level of Harm (NPPF Test)
*Following NPPF para. 205:*
- [ ] **Substantial harm** to the significance of a designated heritage asset
- [ ] **Less than substantial harm** to the significance of a designated heritage asset
- [ ] **No harm** — the works preserve or enhance significance

**Justification:** [Explain why the harm level has been assessed as above, with reference to evidence.]

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## 8. Justification and Public Benefits

### Why the Works Are Necessary
[Explain the functional need for the works — structural repair, enabling viable use, accessibility requirements, etc.]

### Mitigation Measures
[Describe how harm is minimised — reversibility of works, use of matching materials, recording of fabric to be removed (Historic England recording guidance), phased approach.]

### Public Benefits (if substantial harm)
[Where substantial harm is unavoidable, set out the public benefits that outweigh the harm — regeneration, public access, affordable housing, climate benefits, etc. Reference NPPF para. 205.]

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## 9. Conclusion

[Summarise: the significance of the asset, the level of harm caused by the works, the justification for the works, and why the proposal meets the NPPF tests at paras. 205–208.]

[State clearly whether the proposal should be approved and on what policy basis.]

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*Template prepared using PlanningCore | planningcore.uk*