About heritage statements

We advise that any planning application affecting a heritage asset contains a heritage statement which contains the following information:

• Assessment of significance
• Assessment of impact on significance
• Justification for works.

Below are some suggestions as to the sorts of issues you might consider in producing a heritage statement.

Assessment of significance

• Basic information about the listed building or conservation area
• Grade of listed building and listed building description (GII, GII*, GI)
• Date of building
• Name of architect/builder (if known)
• Description of features of the building
• Name and character of the conservation area (if relevant)
• Its contribution to the setting of the listed building or conservation area (if relevant)
• Description of the significance of specific part affected by proposal.

Heritage impact assessment

• An assessment of impact the proposal will have upon the heritage asset (Listed building or conservation area)
• Will the proposal harm, enhance or preserve the significance of the heritage asset?
• How will the proposal impact upon the heritage asset?.

Justification

• Demonstrate why the works required
• If harmful impact, what is public benefit, e.g. securing optimum viable use of heritage asset in interests of its long-term conservation?
• Are there alternatives which would cause less or no harm?
• The more the harm, the greater the justification needed.

St. Peter's Church, Birstall

Conservation and design contacts

To speak to an officer about planning, conservation, trees or highways