Case Study: Heritage Support for Listed Building Application – Grade II Listed Building within Uttlesford District Council

Overview: Weiser Heritage Consultancy is pleased to have received notice that Listed Building Consent has been granted on an application which we were appointed on to support an application for works to a Grade II listed residential property within Uttlesford District Council. The proposal included the removal of an existing modern bathroom extension, its replacement with a more appropriate single-storey addition, and the installation of a first-floor bathroom to improve the property’s usability.

My Role: I was brought in by the architect to provide expert heritage consultancy for the listed building application. My involvement included a full site visit, collaboration with both the architect and the client, and detailed review of the proposed drawings providing a Heritage Statement to accompany the application. Drawing from years of conservation experience, I shared constructive feedback and raised concerns over certain elements of the proposal. While not all suggestions were taken on board, some were incorporated into revised plans.

Heritage Assessment: The property is situated in a sensitive heritage context, with several other listed buildings in the vicinity and relevant Historic Environment Records (HERs), including one on the site itself. Despite this, the proposed works primarily affected modern elements of the building, preserving the original historic fabric and layout.

The proposed replacement extension was modest in scale, only slightly larger than the existing structure, and was designed to enhance the home’s functionality for contemporary living—particularly important for enabling cross-generational occupancy.

Planning Policy & Public Benefit: The heritage statement 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:

• Removal of a poor-quality 20th-century addition and its replacement with a higher-quality, visually appropriate extension.

• Continued viable residential use of the listed building—its optimum use.

• Improved accessibility and usability of the home, supporting ageing family members through ground floor accommodation.

• Upgrading the existing modest kitchen facilities to align with 21st century use.

  
  

Outcome Despite some initial concerns raised by the council’s conservation team, the architect submitted revised plans in response to feedback following my guidance. The application was approved, securing consent for the proposed works.

Conclusion This project highlights the importance of collaboration and open dialogue when working on sensitive heritage assets. While not all advice was adopted, my 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 Application? Whether you’re an architect, homeowner, or developer, Weiser Heritage Consultancy provides expert support for heritage-led developments. Contact me for heritage planning advice, listed building consent application guidance, or conservation consultancy.