Heritage consultant vs conservation architect

The two roles defined

A heritage consultant is a planning specialist. The work product is evidence: a significance assessment, a heritage statement, an impact analysis, a setting study, a proof of evidence at appeal. Heritage consultants do not normally draw the design or specify materials, although they advise on what the heritage evidence will support.

A conservation architect is an architect with formal accreditation in historic building conservation, typically RIBA Conservation Architect (RIBA CA), AABC (Architects Accredited in Building Conservation) or SCA (Specialist Conservation Architect). The work product is design: measured surveys, repair specifications, joinery and lime mortar details, sympathetic new interventions, contract administration on site.

When you need each

Engage a heritage consultant when:

• You need a heritage statement, HIA, statement of significance or setting assessment.
• The project is heritage-sensitive but the architectural design is not specialist (a Grade II house extension by a competent residential architect, for example).
• You are at pre-application, appeal, enforcement or expert evidence stage.
• You need an independent voice the planning authority will treat as objective.

Engage a conservation architect when:

• The project involves significant repair to historic fabric (lime mortar, sash window restoration, structural timber, ornamental plaster).
• The asset is Grade I or II* and the design itself needs specialist conservation skill.
• The works are technically complex on the historic fabric (re-roofing, structural intervention, window restoration).
• Historic England or the borough has explicitly asked for conservation-accredited design input.

Where the roles overlap

Both roles will read the listing entry, both will inspect the building, both will form a view on significance and both will think about how the design lands in heritage terms. The difference is what each is qualified to write down. A heritage consultant's output is policy-grade evidence. A conservation architect's output is buildable design.

The overlap is most pronounced on small projects, where a single conservation-accredited architect with an IHBC qualification can sometimes fill both roles. On most projects splitting the roles produces stronger evidence and avoids the awkwardness of an architect writing a heritage statement that approves their own design.

Accreditations and weight

Conservation officers and planning inspectors give different weight to evidence depending on its source. The accreditations that carry weight in heritage planning are:

• IHBC (Institute of Historic Building Conservation), the principal heritage planning accreditation in the UK.
• RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute), often combined with heritage specialism.
• RIBA Conservation Architect (RIBA CA), with grades of Conservation Registrant, Conservation Architect and Specialist Conservation Architect.
• AABC (Architects Accredited in Building Conservation), an architect-led conservation register.
• CIfA (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists), where archaeological significance is in play.

How they work together on a project

A typical sensitive London project might run as follows. The architect produces a feasibility design. The heritage consultant assesses significance, identifies sensitivities and advises on the consent strategy. The architect refines the design with that advice in mind. The heritage consultant writes the heritage statement, which engages with the listing entry, the conservation area appraisal and any pre-application correspondence. The architect produces the application drawings and design and access statement. Both attend any officer meetings. On site, a conservation architect or a contractor with conservation experience leads the fabric repair work.

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