Insights

Understanding Heritage Consultancy

Understanding the role heritage consultancy plays in unlocking heritage assets.

underview of heritage columns on historical building

Navigating the planning requirements for the repair, redevelopment, or refurbishment of a heritage asset can be a complex process. Similarly, when working with a site that neighbours a significant building, is adjacent to a Scheduled Monument, or located within a conservation area or Registered Park & Garden, the impact of the project on the surrounding heritage needs to be carefully considered to ensure design and planning success.

A heritage consultant is a professional with specific expertise and knowledge of built heritage and of planning legislation relating to historic buildings or heritage sites.

They can help unlock the potential of heritage assets by working with building owners, developers, and stakeholders to explore a building or site’s history, context, and significance to support planning applications or bids to funding bodies, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund. They also work with architectural teams to identify solutions for schemes in difficult contexts and can prepare documents that help building owners and managers develop sustainable strategies for long-term repair or maintenance.

Buttress has 30 years’ experience working to preserve and enhance some of the country’s most significant historic buildings. The practice’s in-house heritage consultants include architectural historians and architects who work as both an integrated part of a design team or provide a stand-alone service to help clients move their projects from concept to reality.