Projects
HERITAGE PLANNING
AGARD STREET, DERBY
Location
- Derby
Client: Trent Pads Ltd
Key Issues: Archaeology, Setting of Listed Buildings, Conservation Area
The Project
Construction of 93 bedroom student accommodation block in the Friar Gate Conservation Area, Derby. The proposed development entailed the demolition of a number of Victorian properties and development within the immediate setting of several listed buildings including the Grade I Pickford House. Locus worked with Simon Foote Architects and DLP Planning to minimise the impact of the scheme upon surrounding heritage assets and the winder area, enabling the sensitive site to accept a development of scale.
Team: Simon Foote Architects, DLP Planning Consultants.
BAILGATE COURT, CHAD VARAH HOUSE
Location
- Lincoln
Client: Bailgate Developments Ltd
Key Issues: Archaeology, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Conservation Area, Setting
The Project
Conversion and major extension of a Grade II listed former hospital and church into luxury apartments. Located in the heart of Lincoln’s city centre conservation area and the immediate settings of Lincoln Castle and Cathedral, the site is also located on the Roman Colonia Scheduled Monument. Working with Jonathan Hendry Architects, Locus helped secure planning permission, listed building and scheduled monument consents for the landmark development. More info
Key Services: Heritage Impact Assessment, Scheduled Monument Consent, Listed Building Consent, Building Survey, Project Management
DEAKINS PLACE
Location
- Nottingham City
Client: Cassidy Group | UK Property Development Group based in Meriden
Key Issues: Archaeology
The Project
7-storey student accommodation scheme with over 703 beds in Nottingham. Located within an Archaeological Priority Area, Locus undertook an archaeological desk-based assessment to support an application for planning permission. The report demonstrated a low potential for surviving archaeology and planning permission was granted with no heritage conditions attached.
Key Services: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment
Team: Cassidy Group, DPP Planning, maber
Photography – DPP Planning
WESTGATE ROAD, BELTON
Location
- Belton, North Lincolnshire
Client: Private Developer
Key Issues: Non-designated heritage assets, archaeology
The Project
Outline application for planning permission for 23 houses on land in the rear garden plot of a residential house. Despite the planning officer’s recommendation for approval, the application was refused at Planning Committee. Working with DLP Planning Locus acted as expert heritage witness to secure permission at an appeal hearing.
Key Services: Heritage Impact Assessment, Appeal – Hearing, Project Management
Team: DLP Planning Consultants
ANKERBOLD ROAD, NEW TUPTON
Location
- North East Derbyshire
Client: The Woodhead Group
Key Issues: Archaeology
The Project
193-unit housing scheme over 10ha of land in North East Derbyshire. Preliminary desk-based investigations undertaken by Locus, and confirmed by geophysical survey, demonstrated a high potential for Prehistoric and Roman activity within the Site. Project managed by Locus, an incisive phase of fieldwork secured planning permission, with a further phase of targeted excavation undertaken as a condition.
Key Services: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Written Scheme of Investigation, Project Management, Geo-physical survey, Archaeological Excavation.
Team: The Woodhead Group, Trent and Peak Archaeology, Pre-Construct Geophysics
COUNTY HOUSE
Location
- Nottingham
Client: Private Fund
Key Issues: Grade II * Listed Building, Conservation Area
The Project
Vacant for over 30 years, Locus helped to secure planning permission and listed building consent for a mixed-use scheme for Nottingham’s County House. Working with AM2 Architects, Globe Consultants, Nottingham City Council and Historic England, the approved scheme will enable the building to be more malleable and responsive in attracting future sustainable uses.
Key Services: Heritage Impact Assessment, Listed Building Consent
Team: AM2 Architects, Globe Consultants
HIGHGATE ROAD MOSQUE
Location
- Birmingham
Client: MADE Architecture
Key Issues: Setting of Listed Buildings, Non-designated heritage asset
The Project
Locus were asked by MADE Architecture to undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment for a mixed-use community development comprising a school, community centre, a Mosque, commercial and residential units in the heart of Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Our advice assisted in minimising impact upon the setting of a Grade I listed building and evaluating the impact of the demolition of two non-designated heritage assets.
Key Services: Heritage Impact Assessment.
Team: MADE Architecture
Photography – MADE Architecture
HERITAGE ADVISORY
NOTTINGHAM HERITAGE STRATEGY
Location
- Nottingham City
Client: Nottingham City Council
Key Issues: Strategic Heritage Management
The Project
Working with Nottingham City Council and stakeholders across the city, Locus delivered the RTPI national award-winning Nottingham Heritage Strategy.
A framework to better understand, celebrate and capitalise on the city’s unique heritage, the strategy sets out an active role for heritage in how Nottingham is promoted as a destination to live, work and visit. The strategy has been pivotal in securing further funding for the city, including multiple HLF grants and a flagship Heritage Action Zone. Annual Action Plans are now delivering key heritage initiatives across the city, building capacity, expertise and resources that are revitalising the city’s cultural and economic offer.
Key Services:
Heritage Strategy, Action Plan, Project Portfolio, Consultation and Launch
Team: Nottingham City Council
LIVERPOOL MERCANTILE MARITIME CITY WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Location
- Liverpool
Client: Liverpool City Council
Key Issues: World Heritage Site
The Project
The Liverpool World Heritage Site Management Plan is a flagship example of our collaborative cross-sector approach to sustainable heritage management. The plan unites the city’s development ambitions with protecting and conserving Liverpool’s internationally renowned cultural heritage. Leaders in retail, governance, museums and attractions, as well as representatives of the local community, were engaged from the outset. The plan is a pragmatic and forward-looking framework that will help to release the potential of the World Heritage Site through constructive conservation and heritage-led regeneration. Improved planning controls provide a more transparent robust management system and greater opportunities for local communities to engage with their heritage.
Key Services: 5-year Management Plan UNESCO Plan
Team: Liverpool City Council and Key Stakeholders
SUTTON TOWN CENTRE - HISTORIC AREA ASSESSMENT
Location
- London Borough of Sutton
Downloads
Client: London Borough of Sutton, Historic England
Key Issues: Strategic Heritage Management
The Project
Locus Consulting was commissioned by London Borough of Sutton Council and Historic England to undertake an historic area assessment for Sutton Town Centre.
The project was a flagship element of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone initiative, aiming to unleash the power of England’s historic environment to create economic growth and improve quality of life in villages, towns and cities.
The area assessment provides an evidence base for the town centre’s historic environment. It can be used to understand what defines the heritage significance of the area, identify its distinctive character and appearance, and highlight issues and opportunities for change.
This new understanding is allowing for more informed management of Sutton’s historic environment, assisting planners, property owners, developers, specialists, local communities and others in shaping a sustainable future for the town centre. The resources champion the centre’s distinctive sense of place, which is anchored in centuries of growth, change, and prosperity. The renewed value of local heritage is being capitalised upon, enabling a long term role in achieving environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Key Services:
Research, Heritage Management, Condition Survey, Action Plan, Community Workshops, Consultation and Launch
Team: London Borough of Sutton, Historic England, Carshalton & District History & Archaeological Society
Photography:
COLLEGE CONSERVATION AREA
Location
- Eastbourne
Client: Eastbourne Borough Council
Key Issues: Conservation Area Management
The Project
Locus were commissioned by Eastbourne Borough Council to undertake a review of the College Conservation Area, a well-executed example of a planned Victorian Residential Park suburb with a rich assemblage of high status private villas. A thorough characterisation and condition survey of the area was undertaken to inform a boundary review, identifying and evaluating a total of 14 potential areas for extension.
Using principles of urban design, the characterisation exercise informed the production of a detailed and pragmatic Conservation Area Appraisal for the extended area according to published standards and guidance.
Key Services: Conservation Area Review, Appraisal and Management Plan. Public consultation.
Team: Eastbourne Borough Council
Community Heritage
WORLD HERITAGE AT RISK
Location
- Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
Client: DerwentWISE
Key Issues: Heritage at Risk
The Project
As part of a £2.5m Landscape Partnership Scheme funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Locus and partners co-ordinated a group of nearly 100 volunteers to survey the condition of over 1000 heritage assets. The condition of buildings, archaeological sites and open spaces was recorded, and collated using a bespoke online interface.
Raising awareness and understanding of the value of heritage and the risks it faces, the project gave local people an opportunity to engage with the heritage of the Derwent Valley and help protect it for the future. The project’s results are now informing the future management of the area’s world class heritage.
Key Services: Training Workshops, Public Events, Project Management
Team: ArcHeritage, DerwentWISE, Trent & Peak Archaeology
Photography – Amanda Slater and ArcHeritage
COMMUNITY-LED CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
Location
- Earlsdon, Coventry
Client: Coventry City Council and Historic England
Key Issues: Conservation Area Designation
The Project
Residents of Earlsdon, Coventry, submitted a petition to Coventry City Council to designate parts of their village as a Conservation Area. The City Council proposed that a community-led assessment was carried out in the area to evaluate whether the area was of sufficient architectural and historic interest. Building on emerging approaches of building capacity in Neighbourhood Planning, Locus in partnership with Coventry City Council and funded by Historic England, developed a series of three field workshops that:
- Developed a local heritage evidence base.
- Defined the special interest and significance of specific heritage assets and the area as a whole.
- Identified specific to heritage related management issues.
- Identified opportunities where heritage assets could be improved to the benefit of the wider area.
The results of the successful project were documented in a research report to assist with future community heritage projects.
Key Services: Community Workshops and Research
Team: Coventry City Council and Residents of Earlsdon
Training & Events
ESSENTIALS TRAINING PROGRAMME
Location
- National
Client: Historic England
Key Issues: Building Capacity and Skills in Heritage and Planning
The Project
The Essentials Programme is a 70-course national training scheme funded by Historic England to build capacity and understanding in planning with heritage amongst non-heritage professionals in the public sector. Five one day courses for up to 35 delegates explored the planning frameworks applicable to the historic environment alongside key skills in understanding significance and assessing impacts upon it. Day courses were undertaken in towns and cities across all regions of England and typically involved a site visit and input from a planning officer or architect from the local area.
To date the programme has delivered 58 courses to over 1800 delegates. Feedback shows a satisfaction rate of 90% across the programme.
Key Services: Training, Project Management, Event Organisation
Team: Grover Lewis Associates
HISTORIC FARMSTEAD WORKSHOPS
Location
- Lincolnshire
Client: Lincolnshire Wolds AONB and Historic England
Key Issues: Planning with Historic Farmsteads
The Project
Over a series of successive events Locus were commissioned to raise understanding and build capacity in the sustainable redevelopment of historic farm buildings in Lincolnshire. Audiences included local planning authority officers, the farming community, estate managers and local communities amongst others. Informative seminars introduced principles of sustainable development, considering issues and opportunities for conversion to alternative uses. Learning outcomes were consolidated through afternoon workshops on location at active, converted and vacant farmsteads.
Key Services: Workshops, Site visits, Seminars
TAILORED CPD & EVENTS
Location
- North East Derbyshire
Client: Various
Key Issues: Capacity Building
The Project
We offer a wide range of bespoke CPD to planning and heritage organisations, architects, and academic institutions amongst others. From lunchtime seminars to webinars and conferences we help build capacity, awareness and understanding in planning with heritage assets. We are delighted to have contributed to several RTPI regional and national events, including for Young Planners. Many of our regular clients benefit from short bespoke training events about tricky topics such as the setting of heritage assets and non-designated heritage assets. We have given a range of lectures to students in Further Education including for Birmingham University, Nottingham Trent University and Leicester University. HE HELM XXXXX
Key Services: Bespoke CPD, Public speaking, Event Management
Team: Locus and Partners
HELM TOURS
Location
- London, Worcester and Leeds
Client: Historic England
Key Issues: Self-Guided Tours
The Project
After a series of successful training events in techniques of characterising complex historic townscapes Locus were asked to produce a series of accessible self-guided tours for Worcester City Centre, Holborn – London, and Holbeck – Leeds.
Historic characterisation is a tool that can be used to understand areas in order to manage future change. The training resource demonstrates how a small amount of historical research and observation can significantly improve our understanding of places.
Key Services: Workshops, Event Management, Public Speaking, Training.
Team: Pighill Illustrations