Howard’s House, Bedfordshire

Project Overview:

AB Heritage Limited was commissioned by Robinson & Hall LLP to undertake a Heritage Statement for Howard’s House, located in Bedfordshire. The purpose of this assessment was to evaluate the impact of proposed internal and external works on the heritage significance of the property as part of an application for Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission.

Heritage Significance:

Howard’s House is a Grade II* Listed Building, recognised as a Designated Heritage Asset of High Significance. It is located within its own Grade II Listed Park and within the Cardington Conservation Area. This status underscored its architectural and historic importance, which necessitated careful consideration of any alterations to preserve its character and significance.

AB Heritage’s Heritage Impact Assessment focused on the significance of a number of specific features identified by Bedford Borough council and Historic England and the potential impact of their removal or loss.

These comprised:

• The significance of the second-floor internal wall between the WC and landing;
• The significance of wooden Door DS4 between proposed dressing room and bedroom
• The significance of ground floor and first floor door openings; and
• The significance of the cupboards proposed for removal.

Impact Assessment:

The initial assessment by AB Heritage identified potential impacts on the building’s character and architectural interest. In response, the proposed development plans were revised to mitigate these concerns, which were related to the removal of a number of doors. The final analysis determined that the majority of the proposed internal works would not adversely affect the character or architectural interest of Howard’s House.  However, two specific areas of concern were noted:

• The second-floor internal wall between the WC and landing.
• The cupboard in the second-floor dressing room.

These features, while contributing to the overall structure, were assessed as being of Low Significance. The potential impact on these elements was classified as ‘less than substantial harm’ according to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, Paragraph 208), and importantly, at the very lower end of that scale.

AB Heritage’s Recommendations:

Given the Low Significance of the affected features and the minor nature of the impact, AB Heritage did not recommend a programme of Historic Building Recording (HBR) for the interior works. The assessment found that these elements had already been sufficiently documented within the Heritage Statement. However, the final decision on whether to require additional recording was the preserve of the Local Authority.

Conclusion:

The heritage assessment concluded that the proposed works at Howard’s House, while involving minor adverse effects on two specific features, would preserve the character and architectural interest of this significant heritage asset. The proposed changes were considered to result in less than substantial harm, thus aligning with best practice in heritage conservation and ensuring that the historic value of Howard’s House would be maintained for future generations.

This case study highlighted the importance of early heritage assessment and the value of collaborative evolution to development proposals in mitigating impacts on heritage assets. Through careful analysis and targeted recommendations, AB Heritage ensured that the integrity of Howard’s House would be preserved while accommodating the necessary updates.

Abel Bunu from Robinson and Hall: “Dan, Hugh and Sarah handled my client’s project in a very professional manner. They showed a good understanding of my client’s requirements, and the turnaround time was short by comparison with other specialists. AB Heritage’s fees were also very competitive. Their HEIA was accepted by the council and listed building consent granted for the refurbishment of a Grade II* Listed Building.”

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