About Heritage matters
Heritage Matters: Expert Advice on Listed Building Issues
Heritage Matters is a leading consultancy firm that specializes in providing expert advice on all listed building issues. The company was founded by Dr David Hickie, who has over 30 years of experience in the field of heritage conservation and management. Dr Hickie was an Assistant Regional Director at English Heritage (now Historic England) before he became an independent consultant and one of the UK's top listed building consultants.
At Heritage Matters, we understand the importance of preserving our built heritage for future generations. We believe that historic buildings are not just physical structures but also cultural assets that tell us about our past and shape our identity as a society. Our mission is to help owners, developers, architects, and local authorities to manage their listed buildings in a sustainable way that respects their historical significance while meeting modern needs.
Our services cover a wide range of areas related to listed buildings, including:
1. Conservation Management Plans: We can help you develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term conservation and maintenance of your historic building or site. This includes assessing its significance, identifying its vulnerabilities and risks, setting priorities for action, and establishing monitoring systems.
2. Planning Applications: We can assist you with preparing planning applications for alterations or extensions to your listed building or site. This involves researching its history and context, analyzing its architectural features and materials, assessing the impact of proposed changes on its character and setting, liaising with local authorities and other stakeholders.
3. Building Surveys: We can carry out detailed surveys of your listed building or site to identify any defects or potential problems that may affect its structural integrity or fabric quality. This includes using non-destructive testing techniques such as thermography or laser scanning.
4. Condition Reports: We can provide you with regular reports on the condition of your listed building or site based on visual inspections as well as technical data from monitoring systems such as moisture meters or crack gauges. This helps you to identify any emerging issues and plan for their remediation.
5. Heritage Statements: We can prepare heritage statements that provide a clear and concise summary of the historical significance of your listed building or site, its architectural features and materials, its context and setting, and any proposed changes or developments. This is essential for obtaining planning permission or funding from heritage bodies.
6. Expert Witness: We can act as an expert witness in legal proceedings related to listed buildings, providing independent advice on matters such as conservation policies, planning regulations, building codes, or dispute resolution.
At Heritage Matters, we pride ourselves on our professionalism, expertise, and commitment to quality. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and aspirations for their historic buildings or sites. We also collaborate with other specialists such as architects, engineers, archaeologists or ecologists to ensure that our advice is comprehensive and integrated.
Our team includes highly qualified professionals with diverse backgrounds in heritage conservation and management:
- Dr David Hickie: Founder & Director
- Dr Sarah Staniforth OBE: Non-executive Director
- Dr Jonathan Taylor: Senior Consultant
- Dr Emma Wells: Senior Consultant
- James Simpson BSc (Hons) MRICS IHBC AABC RMaPS MCIOB MAPM MFPWS FRSA FHEA FCABE FInstLM FAPM FRGS FRHistS FRSA MCIWEM MIEMA CEnv C.Build E FCMI CMgr MCMI MInstLM MAE
We are based in London but operate throughout the UK and internationally. Our clients include private owners of historic houses or estates; developers of commercial or residential properties; local authorities responsible for managing public buildings; universities or museums with collections of cultural significance; charities involved in heritage preservation; etc.
If you are looking for expert advice on listed building issues from a trusted consultancy firm with a proven track record of success, please contact us at Heritage Matters. We would be delighted to discuss your project and provide you with a tailored solution that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
heritage-matters.com