When is a Heritage Statement required?
For all applications relating to a heritage asset, or for works within their setting, a Heritage Statement is required. When submitting an application, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (external link)requires applicants to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any impact on the setting of the heritage asset (see paragraph 189 of the NPPF).
“189. 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 asset’s 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.”
A Heritage Statement should set out what is significant about the Heritage Asset and demonstrate how this significance has informed the proposed works.
Advice has been published by Historic England in Advice Note 12: Statements of Heritage Significance – Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets.
Further advice is also available in this section through the tabs on the right hand side of the page.
The Historic Environment Record (HER)
In addition, as a minimum, the NPPF requires the relevant Historic Environment Record (HER) (external link) to be consulted. This will be required in most cases and this should form the appendix to your Heritage Statement.