Statements of Heritage Impact

Heritage 21 is your expert source for cultural heritage impact assessments

When a listed heritage building is modified, an assessment of impact needs to be undertaken in order to measure the extent to which such modifications would have on the fabric and significance of the place. Some modifications will be minor and would have little impact whereas others will have a significant impact on the fabric or the setting of a place. That’s why you need heritage impact assessments made for any heritage building you’d like to modify. It’s an important step in making sure that you can make your desired use of the property, while at the same time preserving the cultural value of the building for future generations to also appreciate.

What is an ICOMOS heritage impact assessment?

The heritage impact statement is divided into five sections as follows; firstly, the historical analysis in order to understand the provenance and the history; secondly, the physical analysis in order to study the condition and intactness of the fabric; thirdly, the significance analysis in order to determine the level of significance as well as the nature of the various heritage values contained therein; fourthly, an analysis of the proposed work before it commences in order to understand its potential impact and lastly; an assessment of impact based on the information obtained from the four previous components.

Thus, the Heritage Impact Statement is a necessary first step in planning changes for heritage buildings and places. It seeks to protect the fabric and set out well researched responses to any modification type. Heritage 21 has undertaken more than 1,500 cultural heritage assessments since starting its consultancy and is therefore well placed to assist you with your heritage documentation needs.

What is ICOMOS?

Australia ICOMOS is the national chapter of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) – an international non-government organisation that is focused on the maintenance and preservation of cultural heritage conservation. Headquartered in France, and with national committees in over 100 countries, ICOMOS’ membership includes historians, educators, archaeologists, architects, conservators, engineers and tradespeople, and it is considered the leading authority on heritage listed buildings and their preservation. Though it is a non-government agency in itself, ICOMOS’ standards are aligned with the standards of government agencies with oversight into heritage buildings. For that reason Heritage 21 adheres to ICOMOS heritage impact assessment best practice.

Get your building a cultural heritage impact assessment today

A cultural heritage assessment needs an expert eye that genuinely understands the regulatory environment and understands the intricacies of heritage buildings, their maintenance, and how preservation of these buildings is done. The team at Heritage 21 are all renowned specialists in the field. Contact us today at +61 2 9519 2521.

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