Free heritage statement template

    A free, editable heritage statement template in Microsoft Word format, structured to paragraph 200 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Historic England Good Practice Advice Note 2. Use it as a starting structure for an application affecting a listed building, a conservation area or a non-designated heritage asset.

    Download template (.docx)

    Released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Please credit Vestige and link back to vestigelondon.com.

    What is in the template

    1. 1. Introduction

      State the application type, the site address, and that the document is prepared in accordance with NPPF paragraph 200 and Historic England GPA 2.

    2. 2. Identification of the heritage asset

      Address, designation, NHLE list entry number, conservation area, Article 4 direction status, local plan policies engaged.

    3. 3. Statement of significance

      The four interests from NPPF Annex 2 and Historic England Conservation Principles: architectural, historic, archaeological, artistic, plus setting using GPA 3.

    4. 4. The proposal

      Clear, drawing-referenced summary of the works, scheduled element by element so each can be tested in section 5.

    5. 5. Heritage impact assessment

      For each element, conclude on harm: no harm, less than substantial at the lower or upper end, or substantial. Reason the conclusion through.

    6. 6. Policy compliance

      Engage with NPPF Chapter 16, the 1990 Act statutory duties, the local plan and the conservation area appraisal.

    7. 7. Public benefits balance

      Where any harm is identified, set out the public benefits relied on under NPPF paragraphs 207 to 208 and reason the balance.

    8. 8. Conclusion

      Summarise significance, harm conclusion, public benefits and statutory and policy compliance.

    9. 9. Sources

      NHLE entry, conservation area appraisal, local plan, archival sources, Historic England guidance.

    How to use the template

    The template is a structure, not a substitute for analysis. Each placeholder is there because that part of the document is required for a defensible application: the conservation officer needs to see a reasoned significance baseline, then a reasoned harm conclusion against that baseline, then policy engagement. Skipping a step rarely survives validation, and almost never survives appeal.

    For a property listed at any grade, or any application where pre-application correspondence has flagged heritage concerns, instruct a qualified heritage consultant rather than completing the template alone. See Who can write a heritage statement and What is a heritage statement for the underlying methodology.

    When the template is not enough

    • Grade I and Grade II* buildings, where Historic England is statutory consultee.
    • Applications previously refused on heritage grounds, or going to committee or appeal.
    • Sites within a World Heritage Site or its setting.
    • Substantial harm cases, where NPPF paragraph 207 imposes a higher test.
    • Schemes affecting scheduled monuments or registered parks and gardens.

    For these, instruct a senior heritage consultant from the outset. Vestige authors heritage statements for each of these scenarios; each instruction is scoped individually after an initial review of the asset and the proposal.

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