The historic significance of a place is often recognised by national designations in the form of conservation areas and listed building consents. The purpose of such designations is to conserve and protect the significance of the heritage interest, which might be due to its age, social or architectural value.

Proposals involving listed buildings or development within conservation areas require an appreciation as to their significance in order to understand the potential impact of a scheme on the heritage asset.

Our Expertise

Directions Planning Consultancy has provided extensive advice in relation to a variety of projects concerning heritage assets. We have dealt with proposals within conservation areas, which have included the erection of new dwellings, care homes and commercial development.  We have also deal with listed building applications for extensions, alterations and enabling development. We have both undertaken the heritage assessments ourselves or else project managed heritage consultants where specialist work is required.

Our Experience
Knaresborough, Harrogate Borough Council

We provided advice to the client, architect and landscape architect in relation to alterations proposed to a Grade II Listed private residence and its grounds. We steered those involved through the various planning application processes and were retained to provide responsive advice. Our assistance helped secure planning permission, consent for tree works and listed building consent for a variety of alterations. The works included extensions, remodelling of the interior to the main house and cottage, engineering works and removal of trees, along with a planting scheme.

New Earswick, City of York

New Earswick is one of the original Garden Villages, and was established by Joseph Rowntree to provide housing for both workers and managers in a green setting as a truly inclusive community.  That ethos still exists today, so the need to redevelop Red Lodge Care Home in the middle of the village provided an opportunity to revisit the central principles. The project therefore aimed to integrate a number of facilities to promote a sustainable community. Acting as the Agent for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, we project managed pre-application discussions and the planning application for the redevelopment scheme within the heart of a Conservation Area. Despite initial reservations from the community and Historic England; Planning Committee voted in unanimous support for the proposal to demolish the library and build 46 care beds, 105 extra care apartments, construct a Multi-Use Games Area, and remodel the Folk Hall, which is a Grade II Listed building. We are now instructed to discharge the planning conditions on behalf of the construction company.

Learn more about how we can help you...