Brought in after the application was submitted- planning permission granted

SUCCESS! Planning application granted consent!

Case Study: heritage support for planning application for a second-floor extension to an NDHA former schoolhouse in Cambridgeshire

LPA: Greater Cambridge Shared Planning

Overview: Weiser Heritage Consultancy is pleased to have received notice that Planning Permission has been granted on an application which we were appointed to provide heritage related planning support.

WHC Role: WHC was brought in by the architect very late in the process to provide expert heritage guidance and support. The application had already been submitted when WHC became involved. The council weren’t going to register or validate the application until a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) had been submitted. WHC negotiated an extension of time sufficient to draft a robust and thorough report that supported the proposal. Our involvement included a full site visit, collaboration with both the architect and the client, and detailed review of the proposed drawings and providing a Heritage Impact Assessment to accompany the application. Our years of conservation and architectural/design experience proved invaluable.

Heritage Assessment: The wider site includes the following heritage assets: the old Schoolhouse- an unlisted building of merit, several grade II listed buildings, the grade II* listed church, conservation area and an archaeological asset former moated site.

Planning Policy & Public Benefit: The heritage impact assessment was prepared with careful reference to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and relevant local planning policies. The level of harm was assessed as less than substantial and justified by the public benefits delivered, including:

• Retaining the former schoolhouse intact and not including it in the proposal.

• Improving the visual appearance of the modern 20th century single storey flat roofed extension with a pitched roof second floor.

• Improving the setting and character of the adjacent heritage assets.

Outcome: Despite being brought into the project very late, WHC was able to draft a successful heritage report to support the proposal.

Conclusion: Always ask the council for an extension of time when possible. This enables professionals sufficient time to provide the necessary documents. While not all advice was adopted, early involvement helped inform the direction of the proposal and ensured that conservation principles remained at the forefront of decision-making.

Need Help with your Listed Building or Planning Application? Whether you’re an architect, homeowner, or developer, Weiser Heritage Consultancy provides expert and bespoke support for heritage related developments. Contact me for heritage planning advice, listed building consent application guidance, or conservation consultancy.