CAR Heritage & Conservation provides expert advice on heritage buildings and landscapes of all scales, ages and types.
The principal format we use is the Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan gives a concise overview of why a heritage building or environment is significant, analyses the threats to its significance, and sets out policies to protect what is special without inhibiting all change. The approach is strongly supported by Historic England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Conservation Plans are generally prepared when listed buildings have to be altered. The Conservation Plan becomes a briefing document for the design architects. The Conservation Plan approach can also be applied to groups of buildings, for example a university campus or conservation area.
An important function of a Conservation Plan is to establish a constructive dialogue with statutory authorities and other stakeholders, to minimise the risk of time-wasting and sometimes confrontational disputes over alterations to listed buildings.
For simpler projects or unlisted buildings, a Conservation Statement, Statement of Significance or Heritage Assessment may be appropriate, for example to support a planning application for alterations to a building in a conservation area.
CAR conservation reports are clearly written and logically organised, making them convenient and practical to use. Our tried-and-tested approach ensures that new projects can be tackled quickly and efficiently.
What we do
CAR provides specialist advice on listed buildings of all scales, ages and types, from national monuments like the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to rural cottages and farmhouses.
We have extensive experience to draw on. Yet we recognise that every project is different and apply our expertise where it’s most effective in meeting our client’s objectives.
The range of services we offer includes:
- Conservation Plans to support the strategic management and masterplanning of larger estates with listed buildings.
- Heritage Statements and Heritage Impact Assessments to support architects who are making applications for listed building consent.
- Participation in design teams to find solutions that respect conservation constraints and take advantage of conservation opportunities.
- Consultation with conservation authorities and interested parties.
- Interpretation of national and local planning policy to minimise risk of conflict with conservation authorities.
CAR also offers related services for heritage buildings, including structural engineering and environmental performance.
Projects
Case Studies
Holborn Barn, near Royston
Heritage Statement: for successful application for Listed Building Consent.
Haileybury College, Hertfordshire
Conservation Management Plan: critical input to effective campus masterplanning.
Sacrewell Watermill, Peterborough
Heritage Evaluation: contribution to successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid.
Shaw’s Corner, Hertfordshire
Conservation Plan: for National Trust’s future strategy
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Conservation Management Plan: guide for ongoing strategic management in this dynamic institution.
Tulip Stair, Queen’s House, Greenwich
Conservation Plan:
identify opportunities for modifying the building without loss of heritage value.
Manchester Cathedral
Conservation Plan: ahead of planned improvement works
Boots Factory, Nottingham
Conservation Management Plan: facilitates the rapid response to manufacturing needs in a Grade I listed factory.
Broom Lodge, Hemingford Grey
Heritage Statement: for successful application for Listed Building Consent
Martello Tower, Clacton
Historic Building Record: prior to adaptation for new use
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Conservation Management Plan: first step in development plan to cope with increasing visitor numbers.
Murray Edwards College, Cambridge
Conservation Management Plan: guided major refurbishment to tackle environmental and functional problems.
Who we are
Originally a spin-off from the University of Cambridge, CAR has built up a strong team of heritage professionals. As part of a larger multi-disciplinary organisation, we have a wide range of complementary expertise to draw upon if required.
William Fawcett
MA, PhD, RIBA
William is an architect with more than 30 years’ experience in conservation practice and preparing heritage reports and conservation plans.
Helen Bradbury
MA, PG Cert ArchHist
Helen is an historic building consultant with experience of heritage statements, impact assessments and conservation management plans. As an architectural historian her particular interest is garden buildings.
Katie Thornburrow
BSc, BArch, RIBA
Katie is an architect specialising in the restoration and extension of historic buildings. She has co-authored many of CAR’s conservation plans.
Jeremy Musson
LLB MPhil
Jeremy is an architectural historian, writer and broadcaster, specialising in English country houses. He has published widely and lectured for academic and public audiences. He is a former National Trust curator and Architectural Editor of Country Life.
Nick Chapple
BA DipCons
Nick has been a heritage consultant in public and private sectors for over twenty years. He has written many conservation plans and heritage statements, and provided advice on new design in historic contexts. He specialises in ecclesiastical buildings and is the editor of Ecclesiology Today.
Oliver Caroe
BA DipArch RIBA AABC
Oliver is an architect specialising in ecclesiastical and historic buildings. In 2012 he was appointed as Surveyor to the Fabric of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Natcha Ruamsanitwong
PhD MPhil MA
Natcha is an architectural historian specialising in twentieth-century architecture and architectural education in Britain. Her PhD focused on the work of Sir Leslie Martin.