Historic areas and databases

Local planning authorities have a statutory obligation to designate as conservation areas places of special architectural or historic interest ‘the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. English Heritage recommends that, once designated, these areas are clearly defined and analysed in a written appraisal which will underpin development plan policies and development control procedures. An appraisal prepared by AHP will also contain policies and proposals to help preserve and enhance the conservation area.

As well as conservation area appraisals, AHP undertakes various area-wide studies linked to regeneration schemes, world heritage sites and buildings at risk. We are also increasingly asked to provide appraisals of historically distinct groups of buildings, or similar types of buildings (like churches, for example).

For most projects involving a number of different buildings we present our findings via interactive databases, using either our own programmes or one specified by the client.