In the UK, heritage assets are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas, or landscapes identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions. These assets are valued for their historic, archaeological, architectural, or artistic interest.

Types of Heritage Assets:

Designated Heritage Assets – legally protected and formally recognized:
- Listed Buildings – buildings of special architectural or historic interest.
- Scheduled Monuments – nationally important archaeological sites.
- Registered Parks and Gardens – designed landscapes of special interest.
- World Heritage Sites – designated by UNESCO for their global cultural significance.
- Conservation Areas – areas of special architectural or historic interest.
Non-Designated Heritage Assets – identified by local planning authorities:
- These might include locally listed buildings, historic buildings or features not formally protected but still considered important for their character and contribution to local heritage.

Legal and Planning Framework:

Governed by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets out how heritage assets should be conserved and enhanced.
Local planning authorities must consider the significance of heritage assets when assessing development proposals, even if they’re non-designated.

How En-Plan can assist you

We have a proven track ecord of dealing with the deve;lopment of heritage assets from Listed Buildig to non-designated heritage assets and we can provide sensitively designed schemes to gain planning approval and can provide the Heritage Statements required to accponpany any formal planning application for development affecting a heritage asset.

Case Study: 26/00434/LBC | New windows and door and painting of front elevation and shop frontage | 51 And 51A Longden Coleham Shrewsbury Shropshire SY3 7DH

Introduction

51 Longden is a Grade II Listed Building and forms part fo a a trio of buildings (50-53Longden) designated by Historic England as Grade II Listed Buildings under List Entry Number 1067338. The propetry has undergone laterationms previously under 24/04129/LBC (Replacement of rear (outrigger) flat roof. Remove existing felt and board back to joists) and 24/04129/LBC (Change of use from office to residential dwelling).

History of Coleham

Coleham originally developed as a small settlement outside the medieval walls of Shrewsbury. It sat across the River Severn from the main town and was connected by early bridges. This crossing made Coleham an important southern gateway into the town. In the late 1700s the island was removed during river works and bridge rebuilding, leaving the single crossing we know today.

Coleham became one of the early industrial areas of Shrewsbury. In 1793, ironmaster William Hazledine built a foundry in Coleham. This was significant because it produced castings for Ditherington Flax Mill, the world’s first iron-framed building. Hazledine also worked with engineer Thomas Telford on major bridges and aqueducts.

The foundry employed hundreds of workers and helped connect Coleham to the wider Industrial Revolution.

By the mid-1800s Coleham had become a working-class suburb of Shrewsbury. One of Coleham’s most famous landmarks is the Coleham Pumping Station whihc was built 1898–1901 to improve Shrewsbury’s sewage system.

This coontained large steam-powered beam engines that pumped sewage to treatment works which ran until 1970. The building was designed to look like a Victorian chapel, showing the civic pride in new public health infrastructure. Today it is a working steam museum open on special days.

During the 20th century many heavy industries closed or moved away with the area gradually became more residential and commercial. Modern Coleham is known for independent businesses and cafés, historic riverside buildings and a strong community atmosphere.

The Listed Building Application

As part of this a Design & Access Statement was submitted stsing jhow Replacement of existing windows and doors on the front elevation. The new units will match the existing proportions, alignment, and opening styles with the materials will be high-quality timber or heritage-appropriate composite alternatives. Glazing bars and frame profiles will reflect traditional detailing.

The scheme comprises repainting of the upper façade using breathable masonry paint. A muted, heritage-appropriate colour palette is proposed to complement neighbouring properties. Preparation works will include gentle cleaning and repair of minor defects. The colour palette has been produced in conjunction Studio Inra who are interior design specialists.

The replacement windows and doors will replicate traditional proportions and detailing. Painting will enhance the building’s appearance and improve visual cohesion with neighbouring properties. The shopfront refurbishment retains existing form and layout. The windows and doors are to be provided by JRM Windows and Doors and the shutters by Eden Shutters and Blinds and the new doors will be provided by

No historic fabric of special interest will be removed. The works are reversible and do not affect the building’s structure. Overall, the proposals will preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area in accordance with Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the NPPF. As such Shropshire Council Heritage team has no objections and the Planning Department granted approval.

Further Information

We knwo that our Planning Consultancy and Architectural services can wok in harmony to produce viable applications that look to balance the needs of the asset with modern devlopment needs to improve accommodation and design.

Example Projects