Key Purposes:
- Preservation: To record and protect architectural or historical features.
- Planning and Development: To inform conservation decisions and planning permissions.
- Heritage Management: To contribute to local or national heritage records.
- Condition Assessment: To identify necessary repairs or structural issues.
What’s Included in a Historic Building Survey?
- Historical Research:
- Construction date and architect (if known)
- Ownership history
- Changes over time (e.g., extensions, renovations)
- Architectural Description:
- Layout and structure
- Materials and construction techniques
- Details of key architectural elements
- Details of specific features (e.g., mouldings, staircases)
- Inspection:
- Assessment of the property’s structural condition
- Accompanying external and internal photos
- Measured/sketch drawings (where suitable/required)
- Conclusions:
- Explanation of possible causes of issues.
- Evaluation of the structure’s current performance and risks.
- Evidence of damage or decay (damp, rot, subsidence, etc.).
- Assessment of significance.
- Evaluation of the condition of architectural significant building elements and materials.
- Recommendations:
- Evaluation of what makes the building historically or architecturally important
Examples of When They Are Required?
- Listed Building Consent applications
- Before major alterations or demolitions
- For inclusion in conservation plans
- When applying for heritage grants or funding
