Local Authority Advice and Training 

We know that people with an interest in places are often passionate about the past and how our heritage will inform the future.

A closer working relationship between the agendas of planning and conservation is critical to shaping distinctive and successful places for the future. That’s why we work to raise awareness of the opportunities the historic environment brings to places as much as we build understanding of the framework of law, policy and guidance that we use to manage it sustainably.

An important part of what we do is helping local authorities manage their heritage assets pro-actively by improving management mechanisms and setting out a positive strategy.

Why choose Locus:

Locus has a long track record of building ability and capacity within the planning sector and amongst local communities. It’s an important part of what we do for both public and private sectors.

What we do

  • Training programmes and sessions in heritage management

  • Conservation Area Appraisals and SPD

  • Local authority advice and heritage strategy

  • Review of strategic sites for heritage issues

  • Research and evidence-bases

  • Critical friend and Expert Witness

Projects

  • Nottingham Heritage Strategy

    Working with Nottingham City Council and stakeholders across the city, Locus delivered the RTPI national award-winning Nottingham Heritage Strategy.

    A framework to better understand, celebrate and capitalise on the city’s unique heritage, the strategy sets out an active role for heritage in how Nottingham is promoted as a destination to live, work and visit. The strategy has been pivotal in securing further funding for the city, including multiple HLF grants and a flagship Heritage Action Zone. Annual Action Plans are now delivering key heritage initiatives across the city, building capacity, expertise and resources that are revitalising the city’s cultural and economic offer.

  • Essentials Training Programme

    Working in partnership with Historic England we led on a national 5 year face-to-face training programme called Essentials.

    Designed for local authority planners, elected members and early entrants into heritage planning, the programme covers the fundamentals of planning with heritage assets.

    The face-to-face training courses were converted to an e-Learning programme which is available at Heritage in Planning: Essentials | Historic England

  • London Borough of Sutton HAA

    Locus were commissioned by the London Borough of Sutton Council and Historic England to undertake an Historic Area Assessment for Sutton Town Centre.

    The project was a flagship element of Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone initiative, aiming to unleash the power of England’s historic environment to create economic growth and improve quality of life in villages, towns and cities.

    The area assessment provides an evidence base for the town centre’s historic environment. This new understanding is allowing for more informed management of Sutton’s historic environment, assisting planners, property owners, developers, specialists, local communities and others in shaping a sustainable future for the town centre.

  • Zoe Clarke's photo, licensed as CC BY-NC 2.0

    The Park Conservation Area Plan

    We were commissioned by Nottingham Park Estate Ltd to undertake a review of The Park Conservation Area, a Victorian residential parkland suburb with a stunning assemblage of high status villas. A thorough characterisation and condition survey of the area was undertaken and, using principles of urban design, we produced a robust Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan which was adopted as SPD by the Council.

  • Lincolnshire Farmsteads Project

    The Greater Lincolnshire Farmsteads Project surveyed over 10,000 farms in Lincolnshire. Undertaken by Locus in partnership with Historic England, the project created an evidence-base for traditional farms across the county.

    The project produced the Farmstead Assessment Framework, a step-by-step approach for owners and applicants considering the re-use and sustainable development of traditional farm buildings, and the Greater Lincolnshire Farmsteads Character Statement, a detailed and illustrated report that helps identify the character and significance of historic farmsteads.

  • Nottingham Caves Guide

    Locus were commissioned by Nottingham City Council and funded by Historic England to research and produce a caves guide for the city Working with stakeholders, owners and local businesses, we looks at a range of issues from buildings regulations, maintenance, access, surveying techniques and more. The result is a useful introductory guide to managing the city’s most unique heritage resource.