Heritage Assets

A Heritage asset is defined in the glossary of the National Planning Policy Framework as:
A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing)

Designated heritage assets include international designations (World Heritage Sites) and nationally designated assets identified by English Heritage and DCMS

Designated heritage asset:

  • Scheduled Monuments
  • Listed Buildings
  • Protected Wreck Sites
  • Registered Park and Gardens
  • Conservation Areas

Non-Designated heritage assets include archaeological sites contained within the historic environment record and buildings added to a local list.

JME Conservation will assess the significance of designated heritage assets and non-designated heritage assets defined by the Local authority and advise clients about the potential impacts of their proposals upon these heritage assets and how best to resolve issues that arise.

Further information

Government guidance on the treatment of heritage assets is set out in the following extract from the National Planning Policy Framework.

126. Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, including heritage assets most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats. In doing so, they should recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance. In developing this strategy, local planning authorities should take into account:

  • the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation
  • the wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring
  • the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness
  • opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a place

127. When considering the designation of conservation areas, local planning authorities should ensure that an area justifies such status because of its special architectural or historic interest, and that the concept of conservation is not devalued through the designation of areas that lack special interest.

128. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant 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 no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.

129. Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this assessment into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.

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