Heritage Impact Assessment
Evidence-based analysis showing how proposals affect historic significance.
A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) explains how a proposed alteration, extension or upgrade will affect the historic and architectural value of a building or site. When working with listed buildings or properties in conservation areas, Dundee City Council and other planning authorities expect a clear and professionally prepared assessment to support decision-making.
An HIA reduces risk, strengthens your application and demonstrates that your design respects what makes the building special.
What is a Heritage Impact Assessment?
A Heritage Impact Assessment evaluates the potential impact of your proposals on the elements identified as significant in your Assessment of Significance.
It sets out:
What aspects of the building or site hold heritage value.
What changes are proposed.
How those changes will affect that significance — positively, negatively or neutrally.
Any design measures taken to avoid, reduce or mitigate impact.
A balanced, professional conclusion on heritage impact.
This is a core document in conservation-led design and can be required as part of both planning and listed building consent applications.
Why it matters in Dundee.
Dundee’s conservation areas, historic suburbs, large stock of pre-1919 and listed buildings make heritage assessments important for many projects.
A Heritage Impact Assessment helps to:
Demonstrate compliance with policy and guidance.
Reduce the risk of delays, objections or refusals.
Explain complex design decisions in a clear, structured way.
Strengthen your application with robust, evidence-led reasoning.
Show that the design has been developed thoughtfully and responsibly.
A well-prepared Heritage Impact Assessment gives planning officers confidence in your proposal — and this can lead to smoother approvals.
What your Heritage Impact Assessment includes.
Every report is tailored to the building and the proposal, typically including:
Summary of relevant planning policy and guidance.
Identification of key heritage values (from Assessment of Significance).
Brief summary of existing condition and character. (Distinct from Fabric Condition Survey)
Clear description of proposed works.
Analysis of impact on significance (harm, enhancement, neutral).
Justification for design decisions.
Opportunities for mitigation.
Conclusion on overall impact.
A submission-ready document for planning or listed building consent.
Our aim is clarity — concise explanations, strong illustrations and sound conservation logic.
Our Expertise
As RIAS Conservation Accredited architects, we combine specialist conservation knowledge with contemporary design experience.
We prepare Heritage Impact Assessments for:
Listed buildings (Categories A, B and C)
Properties within Conservation Areas.
Tenements and townhouse conversions.
Extensions and reconfigurations to traditional buildings.
New structures within historic settings.
Our assessments are rigorous, professional and aligned with best practice.
How a Heritage Impact Assessment Supports Your Project
A strong Heritage Impact Assessment:
✓ Makes planning and listed building consent more predictable.
✓ Protects important features while enabling modern living.
✓ Shows Councils that impacts are understood and managed.
✓ Reinforces the credibility of your proposal.
✓ Connects your design directly to heritage reasoning.
It becomes a key document in your planning submission — and can be a deciding factor in achieving approval.
Assessment of Significance vs Heritage Impact Assessment
These two documents work together:
Assessment of Significance: identifies what matters.
Heritage Impact Assessment: explains how your proposal affects what matters.
Related Services | Architect in Dundee
Speak to a Conservation Accredited Architect.
If you’re proposing work to a listed building or a property in a conservation area, we can help you.
Get in touch to discuss your project.
