NCF Heritage has extensive experience of working with a wide variety of building types, styles and ages, as well as covering the full scope of both designated and non-designated elements of the historic environment; from Non-Designated Heritage Assets and issues of setting to conservation areas, scheduled monuments and listed buildings of all grades.
The following projects are just a sample of the types of work NCF Heritage has been involved in. If you can’t find anything apparently comparable to your project, building or site please get in touch to discuss how we may be able to help.
This Gr II listed cottage, within a town conservation area, had previously been two dwellings and had the unusual remnants of a former church within its garden. Having been in the same family’s ownership for half a century, the building needed significant modernisation, whist respecting the two distinct characters of the two former dwellings. NCF Heritage undertook a detailed heritage statement, and helped to negotiate a successful scheme of repair and modification which brought together the quirky aspects of the site into a welcoming and up-to-date family home.
This Gr II listed former bakery, with residential accommodation above, and functioning bakehouse to the rear, within a conservation area and in an area of archaeological sensitivity, had experienced years of piecemeal modification, in addition to being victim of a severe fire in the early 1990s. A mixed-use conversion was proposed with 6 residential units and an area of office space, and a detailed heritage statement and impact assessment was put together which highlighted the parts of the building which were most sensitive to change. After protracted negotiation with the local authority, all relevant consents were successfully obtained.
A small field, partially within the village conservation area, and out the outskirts of the settlement was examined for potential residential development. Following early-stage involvement by NCF Heritage, an initial report was put together which identified the character of the site, its contribution to the conservation area and its contribution to the setting of adjacent listed buildings. This resulted in the proposed density of development being drastically reduced to a single dwelling, to better reflect the character of surrounding development. Supporting statements and impact assessments were put together to support the planning application.
NCF Heritage was commissioned to research the history of a former Smithy, following a request from the local authority to ascertain whether the building in question could be considered ‘curtilage listed’. Research conclusively established that the site could not be considered ‘curtilage listed’ and a clear and reasoned justification based upon the tests set out by case law as well as Historic England guidance, was submitted to the LPA in support of the planning application.
NCF Heritage was commissioned to offer early-stage advice to the owner of a newly purchased unlisted farmhouse within the Cotswold AONB. The client’s initial aspirations were to demolish the existing building whilst retaining some of the traditional barns, but after analysis and further discussion, it was clear there was not only potential for the site to be identified as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, but also that there was potential for listing once applications were submitted. The client subsequently amended their proposals to retain a significant proportion of the farmhouse, whilst demolishing its least significant elements, in addition to retaining the historic farmstead.
This unlisted, early C19th church, had closed for regular worship in 2011 and struggled to find alternative use due to its physical condition and the low commercial value of buildings locally. After an unsuccessful attempt by the local authority to get the building listed, it was identified as a Non Designated Heritage Asset. The owners of the building (a charitable organisation) had identified a pressing need within the city for sheltered accommodation, for those in transition from homelessness to independent living, and wished to use the cleared site to support this need. With substantial experience in dealing with ecclesiastical buildings, NCF Heritage put together a detailed heritage statement and impact assessment, in addition to a reasoned justification which balanced the ‘public benefit’ of the proposals against the perceived harm which would result from the demolition of the building.
NCF Heritage undertook a Heritage Statement and Impact Assessment for the residential conversion of a Gr II listed Victorian Water Tower set within a Gr II* listed park and garden, and also within the wider setting of a Gr I listed prominent country house. In addition to the production of the relevant reports, advice was offered on the evolving proposals, prior to consents being sought and successfully obtained.
This C19th, Gr II* listed fort, occupying a prominent location in a designated landscape, had had a chequered history since being sold by the MOD in the 1930s. The harsh nautical environment which batters it on a regular basis, combined with the uncompromising design of the fort make sustained use of the site difficult. NCF Heritage became involved in mid 2021 in a bid to put forward development proposals for new entertainment space, which alongside the existing accommodation was aimed at helping the site become both financially and physically sustainable into the future. A heritage statement and impact assessment were put together and submitted in support of these proposals.