Local Requirements - Heritage Statement

Types of application or development that require this information

• Planning applications affecting a Conservation Area or its setting
• Planning applications affecting a listed building, its curtilage or setting
• Planning applications that affect the significance of any heritage asset, including its setting.
• Applications for Listed Building Consent

What information is required?

The purpose of the Heritage Statement is to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and the scope of the proposed works. Sufficient detail must be provided to demonstrate an understanding of the history, character, significance and setting of the heritage asset.

As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise, where necessary.

For minor development proposals, that require both a Heritage Statement and a Design and Access Statement, it is recommended that a single, comprehensive design document is submitted. The combined statement should address both requirements and make this clear in the title of the document.

For major applications and applications where a Design and Access Statement is not a requirement, a Heritage Statement should be submitted as a stand-alone supporting document.

The Heritage Statement must include the following:

1. A description of the heritage asset and its setting,
2. An assessment of the heritage assets significance (interior and exterior as relevant),
3. A clear and full explanation of how tan understanding of the heritage asset and its setting has informed the design proposals,
4. An assessment of the impact of the proposals, and
5. A statement of justification for the works together with details of any mitigation measures proposed.

Where appropriate, relevant Conservation Area Appraisals and adopted Neighbourhood Plans should be reviewed.

Applications within Conservation Areas

For applications for development and/or demolition within Conservation Areas, The Heritage Statement should follow the above format and demonstrate how the proposals have been designed in order to enhance or preserve the conservation areas character, setting and appearance.

For applications that include demolition within a conservation area, the Heritage Statement must also assess the contribution that the built element in question makes to the character and appearance of the conservation area and provide justification for demolition.

For commercial development within conservation areas, special attention should be paid to the contribution the shop frontage makes towards the character and setting of the streetscape. It is desirable to preserve and where possible reinstate traditional frontage elements within conservation areas. Further information on works to shop frontages can be found in the Council’s Shopfront Design Guide.

Applications affecting the setting of a heritage asset

For applications which have the potential to impact on the setting of a heritage asset (Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Registered Parks & Gardens, World Heritage Sites, Registered Battlefields or Scheduled Monuments), a statement should be prepared that identifies each asset and assess how the proposals will impact upon the setting. The scope and level of detail required within this appraisal will vary on the circumstances of each application. Pre application advice should be sought from the Conservation Team.

Applications affecting archaeological deposits

Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, undertake a field evaluation. The potential for development to disturb archaeological deposits should be discussed at the earliest opportunity with West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Services.

Applications affecting Listed Buildings

Further supporting documents such, as scale plans/detailed drawings and photographs may be required if the application affects a listed building. The requirements for listed building consent applications are set out in Validation Checklist – Listed Building Consent.

Further information

• Historic England planning advice – Good Practice Advice notes (GPAs) and Historic England Advice Notes (HEANs)
• Historic England - Map Search
• Historic England  - Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance
• Conservation Areas in the Bradford District
• Descriptions of Listed Buildings in the Bradford District
• Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document

Policy driver

• Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• National Planning Policy Framework - Chapter 16: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment
• Core Strategy - Policy EN3: Historic Environment