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General Heritage Planning Questions
1. What is a heritage statement, and do I need one for my project?
A heritage statement (or heritage impact assessment) explains how your proposed works will affect the historical or architectural significance of a building or site. Most councils require one if your project involves a listed building, conservation area, or heritage asset in proximity to your site.
2. How do I know if my property is listed or in a conservation area?
You can check your property’s status on the National Heritage List for England or your local council’s website. If you’re unsure, we can confirm this for you as part of our service.
3. What’s the difference between listed building consent and planning permission?
Planning permission deals with changes to a building’s use, size, or external appearance. Listed building consent is specifically required for any works affecting the character of a listed building—inside or out. Many projects require both.
4. What happens if I carry out work on a listed building without consent?
Doing work without listed building consent is a criminal offence. Councils can require you to reverse changes, and fines or prosecution are possible. We can help with retrospective consent if needed.
5. How can I find out if there are archaeological requirements for my site?
Many councils flag archaeological interest during planning applications. We can conduct a Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) to identify any risks early.
Working With Aurora Heritage Planning Ltd
6. What services do you provide?
We specialise in heritage statements, heritage impact assessments, conservation management plans, archaeological DBAs, planning applications (submission and management), design and access statements, Landscape Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs) and advice on listed building or conservation area projects. We also offer express services for tight deadlines. Take a look at our Services page for a comprehensive overview.
7. Do you offer express services if I’m on a tight deadline?
Yes! Our Priority Heritage Statement service delivers a NPPF-compliant report within 5 working days for straightforward projects.
8. How long does it take to get a heritage statement or impact assessment?
Standard turnaround is 2–3 weeks, but it depends on project complexity. A Priority Service is available if you’re working to a deadline.
9. What information do you need from me before starting work?
We’ll ask for the site address, site plans, drawings, and project description. If we're doing the work remotely, we'll also need comprehensive photos of the site.
10. Do you visit the site in person, or is your work desk-based?
For most small projects, we use a desk-based approach with online resources. For complex schemes, a site visit may be recommended.
Fees & Payment
11. How much does a heritage statement or impact assessment cost?
Costs vary based on complexity. Simple projects start at £997, larger developments or conservation plans cost more. Contact us for a bespoke quote.
12. Do you charge per project or per hour?
We usually charge per project, so you know the cost upfront.
13. When do I need to pay for your services?
We invoice 50% upfront and 50% on completion before delivering final reports and/or before submitting the planning application.
14. Do you work with developers, architects, homeowners, or all of the above?
All of the above! We help homeowners, architects, developers, planning consultants and many more people navigate heritage requirements.
Planning & Conservation Process
15. How do I apply for listed building consent?
You’ll need to submit drawings, a heritage statement, and details of your proposed works through your council’s planning portal. We can prepare the whole application package for you.
16. What are the chances my application will be approved?
Approval depends on the heritage significance of your property and the impact of your proposals. We work closely with you to create a scheme with the best chance of success.
17. Can you help if my planning application has already been refused?
Yes! We can review your refusal notice, identify concerns, and work with your team to submit a stronger, revised application.
18. How can I make changes to a listed building without harming its significance?
We’ll guide you through sensitive design solutions that respect the building’s character, ensuring your proposals meet conservation best practice.
19. Do conservation officers always need to visit my site?
Not always. For minor works, a desk-based review may be enough. For complex projects, they may visit before deciding on your application.
Technical / Specialist Topics
20. What is a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and when is it needed?
A CMP is a detailed document that sets out a property or site’s history, significance, and future care. They’re often required for large heritage sites, funding bids, or major developments.
21. Do you provide archaeological desk-based assessments (DBAs)?
Yes! We provide DBAs to assess the archaeological potential of your site, helping satisfy planning conditions and minimise risk.
22. Can you provide expert witness services?
Yes, we can act as heritage expert witnesses for appeals or legal cases.
23. Do you work nationwide or only in specific regions?
We work across England and Wales. All our reports meet national planning policy standards.
24. Can you help with enforcement cases or retrospective consent?
Yes! We regularly help clients regularise unauthorised works and navigate enforcement notices.
1. What is a heritage statement, and do I need one for my project?
A heritage statement (or heritage impact assessment) explains how your proposed works will affect the historical or architectural significance of a building or site. Most councils require one if your project involves a listed building, conservation area, or heritage asset in proximity to your site.
2. How do I know if my property is listed or in a conservation area?
You can check your property’s status on the National Heritage List for England or your local council’s website. If you’re unsure, we can confirm this for you as part of our service.
3. What’s the difference between listed building consent and planning permission?
Planning permission deals with changes to a building’s use, size, or external appearance. Listed building consent is specifically required for any works affecting the character of a listed building—inside or out. Many projects require both.
4. What happens if I carry out work on a listed building without consent?
Doing work without listed building consent is a criminal offence. Councils can require you to reverse changes, and fines or prosecution are possible. We can help with retrospective consent if needed.
5. How can I find out if there are archaeological requirements for my site?
Many councils flag archaeological interest during planning applications. We can conduct a Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) to identify any risks early.
Working With Aurora Heritage Planning Ltd
6. What services do you provide?
We specialise in heritage statements, heritage impact assessments, conservation management plans, archaeological DBAs, planning applications (submission and management), design and access statements, Landscape Visual Impact Assessments (LVIAs) and advice on listed building or conservation area projects. We also offer express services for tight deadlines. Take a look at our Services page for a comprehensive overview.
7. Do you offer express services if I’m on a tight deadline?
Yes! Our Priority Heritage Statement service delivers a NPPF-compliant report within 5 working days for straightforward projects.
8. How long does it take to get a heritage statement or impact assessment?
Standard turnaround is 2–3 weeks, but it depends on project complexity. A Priority Service is available if you’re working to a deadline.
9. What information do you need from me before starting work?
We’ll ask for the site address, site plans, drawings, and project description. If we're doing the work remotely, we'll also need comprehensive photos of the site.
10. Do you visit the site in person, or is your work desk-based?
For most small projects, we use a desk-based approach with online resources. For complex schemes, a site visit may be recommended.
Fees & Payment
11. How much does a heritage statement or impact assessment cost?
Costs vary based on complexity. Simple projects start at £997, larger developments or conservation plans cost more. Contact us for a bespoke quote.
12. Do you charge per project or per hour?
We usually charge per project, so you know the cost upfront.
13. When do I need to pay for your services?
We invoice 50% upfront and 50% on completion before delivering final reports and/or before submitting the planning application.
14. Do you work with developers, architects, homeowners, or all of the above?
All of the above! We help homeowners, architects, developers, planning consultants and many more people navigate heritage requirements.
Planning & Conservation Process
15. How do I apply for listed building consent?
You’ll need to submit drawings, a heritage statement, and details of your proposed works through your council’s planning portal. We can prepare the whole application package for you.
16. What are the chances my application will be approved?
Approval depends on the heritage significance of your property and the impact of your proposals. We work closely with you to create a scheme with the best chance of success.
17. Can you help if my planning application has already been refused?
Yes! We can review your refusal notice, identify concerns, and work with your team to submit a stronger, revised application.
18. How can I make changes to a listed building without harming its significance?
We’ll guide you through sensitive design solutions that respect the building’s character, ensuring your proposals meet conservation best practice.
19. Do conservation officers always need to visit my site?
Not always. For minor works, a desk-based review may be enough. For complex projects, they may visit before deciding on your application.
Technical / Specialist Topics
20. What is a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and when is it needed?
A CMP is a detailed document that sets out a property or site’s history, significance, and future care. They’re often required for large heritage sites, funding bids, or major developments.
21. Do you provide archaeological desk-based assessments (DBAs)?
Yes! We provide DBAs to assess the archaeological potential of your site, helping satisfy planning conditions and minimise risk.
22. Can you provide expert witness services?
Yes, we can act as heritage expert witnesses for appeals or legal cases.
23. Do you work nationwide or only in specific regions?
We work across England and Wales. All our reports meet national planning policy standards.
24. Can you help with enforcement cases or retrospective consent?
Yes! We regularly help clients regularise unauthorised works and navigate enforcement notices.
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