Nos. 40-48 High Street · Theale
Heritage Assessment for a range of high street properties.
Heritage Unlimited were appointed to provide a Heritage Assessment for a range of properties on the High Street in Theale to support a pre-application submission to help inform the future uses of the properties.
Modern shopping practices and way of life has resulted in the decline of the English high street, which in turn has resulted in the character of the traditional retail and commercial high street being changed.
Premises have become vacant as businesses, often decades and sometimes century old local and national retail companies, have become unsustainable and no longer able to compete with the lower priced and the convenience of internet shopping. This combined with new working practices resulting from the global pandemic have also contributed to changing the character of the high street. In May 2023, Heritage Unlimited were appointed by the client to provide a Heritage Assessment for a range of properties on the High Street in Theale to support a pre-application submission to help inform and guide adaptations and reuse of these properties for a viable and sustainable future, thereby positively contributing to the character of the historic high street. These properties comprised of a mix of a grade II listed building, two non-designated heritage assets (NDHA) and two undesignated buildings, all were within the Theale High Street Conservation Area.
- Property
- Nos. 40-48 High Street
- Listing
- Grade II, NDHA, Conservation Area
- Location
- Theale
- Authority
- West Berkshire Council
- Service
- Heritage AssessmentHeritage StatementDevelopment AdviceHeritage Assessment, Heritage Statement, Development Advice
- Year
- 2023
- Outcome
Vacant high street properties in a historic linear streetscape.
Some of the units were vacant and fallen into a partial state of disrepair, a few were in commercial use and one was a residential dwelling. Whilst two of the properties had been vacant for a period, the remaining properties became vacant as a result of Covid-19.
The historic linear high street is characterised by traditionally constructed properties using vernacular materials, brick, tile and timber-framing.
HUL carried out extensive archival and desk-based research for each property as well as thorough examination of the buildings external and internal fabric in order to understand the historic and current context of each building and also as a group.
Creative and adaptive reuse of heritage assets.
It was considered that the process presented an invaluable opportunity to reuse the historic properties creatively and adaptively, and any proposed conversion and/or reconfiguration and refurbishment would aid their longevity and could even constitute an enhancement to the historic character of the high street.
A proposed residential conversion would also provide some public benefit in the creation of additional housing in the area and removing the risk of further deterioration of vacant buildings by their adaptation and reuse.
HUL produced a Heritage Assessment to aid pre-application submission. The document provides the conservation officer sufficient and necessary information to give them an understanding of the heritage assets’ story and how this in turn guides future changes so the building can continue to positively contribute to the streetscape.
From pre-application to Heritage Statement.
Feedback from the pre-application process enabled the client to move forward with their proposals and we were subsequently engaged to provide a Heritage Statement to support a planning application for works to nos. 44-46 High Street, a non-designated heritage asset.
HUL used their specialist knowledge of the planning system relating to heritage assets within a team of professionals providing their own specialism to guide the client on changes that would be acceptable and achievable to their heritage assets which varied in designation but all encompassed by the conservation area.
Services on this project
Heritage consultancy services used at Nos. 40-48 High Street.
Heritage Impact Assessments
A Heritage Assessment was prepared to support a pre-application submission for a range of high street properties in Theale, informing the creative and adaptive reuse of listed and non-designated assets.
About Heritage Impact Assessments →Heritage Statements
A Heritage Statement was subsequently prepared to support the planning application for works to nos. 44-46 High Street following a successful pre-application process.
About Heritage Statements →Considering the reuse of a heritage asset?
Tell us about your project.
We are available for Heritage Statement commissions, heritage assessments and conservation advice across England and Wales. Send us the details and you will have a response within one working day.
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- The address of the property and its grading, if known
- A short description of the proposed works
- Where you are in the planning process
- Your role: owner, developer, architect, or public body