The Importance of Appointing a Heritage Consultant from the Start

Most people are aware of the need for planning permission for most projects. However, understanding where heritage sits within this and valuing the work is still lacking. Given the extent of history and heritage in this country, you are likely to be, or be near, something of age and significance. Therefore, it is vital you speak to a professional heritage consultant as early as possible.

The counter point to this is how many clients come to us after the fact and desperately need our help. The application was submitted and marked invalid because it needs a heritage statement or a heritage impact assessment. Or, the application was refused because of the lack of sufficient information about the heritage implications. It is more of a challenge to get involved at this stage, especially as the proposal has already been established. If we are involved early, we can make recommendations about what report is required, if the works need to be amended and made less harmful, in order for a less harmful solution to be found etc.

It is always worth making a quick phone call or email to us in the first instance to get some initial and free advice from our heritage consultant. This will definitely save you and/or your client time and money.

Our key heritage reports are:

• Heritage Impact Assessments
• Statements of Heritage Significance
• Historic Building Recording
• Listed Building Consent Applications

Some of the benefits of commissioning Parker Planning Services for your heritage work are:

• We offer value for money whilst still providing a thorough and expert analysis.  We do not compromise on quality. We’ll provide high-quality reports, that will inform and enhance your project’s application.
• Our heritage consultants have exceptional knowledge and qualifications.  As an integral part of our collaborative planning team, they bring critical commercial acumen to your project.
• The team hold additional Bachelor Degree qualifications in Town Planning, Interior architecture and space design especially within the historic context.  This additional knowledge ensures we’ll bring a wider scope of knowledge and advice to your project.
• Our critical local knowledge. Having worked within East Anglian region for many years, the team have extensive local knowledge of the area, the Councils and the local issues. Particularly across Cambridge, Suffolk and Norfolk.
• Our client focussed approach where you’ll have continuous one point of contact during your project, ensures a responsive and individual high-quality service.