Our Services
Q: When is it useful to have a Conservation Management Plan?
A:
Statement of Heritage Impact
Q: What is this?
A: A Statement of Heritage Impact (SOHI), together with supporting information, addresses:
- why the item is of heritage significance
- what impact the proposed works will have on that significance
- what measures are proposed to mitigate negative impacts
- why more sympathetic solutions are not viable
A SOHI needs to explain how the heritage value of an item is to be conserved, or preferably enhanced by the proposed development. This could involve stabilisation and repair work, restoration, reconstruction or redevelopment for a new use.
Q: Do I need one?
YES, we can prepare this on your behalf for your heritage Development Application.
Archival Recording
Q: What is this?
A: Councils may require, as a condition of Development Approval, that your project is to be archivally recorded.
The purpose of an archival record is to prepare a written and visual statement of the condition of the approved project, before new work is carried out.
Digital photographs are provided in 'soft' copy as well as on 'archival' quality paper with non-fading inks.
Photographs are referenced by floor plans showing locations and include both overall views, as well as details of construction and finishes.
Additional Services We Are Offering
In our capacity as Heritage Consultants, we are often called upon to assist applicants in responding to Councils concerning a range of other issues.
Andrew is experienced in:
• View Impact Analysis
• Design Excellence
• Neighbourhood Character
P.S. It is regrettable that Councils continually and increasingly ask for additional information, however, we are well placed to assist you.
View Impact Analysis
During his time at Sutherland Shire Council, as a Council Architect, Andrew was often asked to assess the impact (loss of views etc.) of an application on the surrounding neighbourhood.
This analysis is based on the NSW LEC 140 (‘Tenacity’), which sets out the planning principles.
Councils are increasingly asking applicants to provide this analysis when their Development Application is submitted, because it is often a neighbour’s concern raised when the application is advertised, and is difficult to imagine without a clear submission. It is often a highly emotive issue.
The analysis is checked by Council’s officers, so it is important that the original report is thorough and correct.
We have been often called upon by applicants and their consultants to provide these reports.
Just ask.
Design Excellence
This is a relatively recent concept, now often considered by Councils in assessing a Development Application.
A reference is included in your Council’s Local Environment Plan, this varies from Council to Council.
Applications for major or controversial projects are often referred to a panel of independent experts e.g. architects, landscape architects. These are referred to as Design Review Panels, Design Excellence Panels, or Architects Advisory Panels.
There are now established principles and guidelines so applicants can address these issues.
It may also be necessary for the applicant or his/her consultant to address the Panel.
Andrew has been a member of the inaugural Wollongong Council Architect/Advisory Panel, as well as a staff member (Council Architect) of the Sutherland Council Panel.
Andrew is familiar with both the theory and practice of this subject, as well as having won over twenty Building Design Awards at a State and Local Government level.
We are able to:
• Assist in design, where required.
• Prepare Design Excellence Reports.
• Represent applicants at Council Panels.
Neighbourhood Character Statements
Closely linked to ‘Design Excellence’ is the concept that new buildings should fit ‘sympathetically’ into their surroundings.
This requires an analysis of what the neighbourhood’s character:
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Is at present, or
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Its ‘desired future character’, according to Council.
There are historical, heritage and planning issues to be considered, as well as architectural quality.
This often is assessed on quality based, or aesthetic guidelines.
We can prepare a comprehensive report, with supporting arguments for your application, as well as presenting this, as above, to the Design Review Panel, if required.