Heritage Impact Statement

A Statement of Heritage Impact (or Heritage Impact Statement), must provide consent authorities with information that can be used to assist with the assessment and determination of a development application. A Statement of Heritage Impact, for a locally listed property or property within a heritage conservation area, is a document which is usually about 20 to 40 pages in length. The document incorporates maps, plans, historical images and current photographs of the existing property and locale. A Statement of Heritage Impact is site specific and a site visit is essential.

A Statement of Heritage Impact will address the historical development of both the local area and the subject site; it will provide an analysis of the property’s condition; it will discuss the contribution the building makes to the streetscape; and it will present a statement of significance for the item and/or area. A Statement of Heritage Impact discusses the proposal and the rationale behind the proposed design; it identifies the likely impact on the stated significance of the item and where appropriate it will offer recommendations for mitigating potential loss.

Do You Need a Heritage Impact Statement?

A consent authority will require a Statement of Heritage Impact for any proposal involving:

  •  Major alterations or demolition of a heritage item;

  • Major alterations or demolition of a building in a heritage conservation area;

  • Subdivision of land which is heritage listed or is within a heritage conservation area;

  • The construction of new buildings on land that is heritage listed or on land within a heritage conservation area; or

  • Other works to a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area as requested by a consent authority.

Consent authorities cannot grant consent to such development applications unless it has considered a Statement of Heritage Impact.

Conservation Management Plan (CMP)

A Conservation Management Plan is the principle guiding document relied upon for the conservation and management of a heritage place. It is a practical tool that helps owners, managers and approval authorities make sound decisions about heritage places.

A comprehensive Conservation Management Plan identifies a place’s cultural heritage significance and details conservation policies and strategies to illustrate what measures will be taken to manage and protect the heritage asset. For heritage places to be retained and used into the future, change will nearly always be required. The policies contained in a Conservation Management Plan will define and guide the kinds of change that can be made whilst ensuring that the heritage significance of the place is not compromised.

A well-prepared Conservation Management Plan will provide consent authorities with information that can be used to assist with the assessment and determination of an application. A Conservation Management Plan may also be required by some grant programs.

With a background and qualifications in building and architecture, Built Now & Then Heritage are well placed to assist you with your Conservation Management Plan.

Heritage Demolition Report

Some consent authorities may require a demolition report with a development application that seeks consent for the total or substantial demolition of a building. A demolition report will provide information about the potential heritage significance of an existing building. This information is used to assist the Council with its assessment and determination of a development application. A building may be of potential heritage significance even though it is currently not listed in the schedule of heritage items or contained within a heritage conservation area. Therefore, in addition to undertaking heritage studies, the Council assesses the potential heritage significance of a building proposed for demolition as part of its development application process.

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