RMA Heritage Ltd.

Which IHBC Branch are you based in?

South

Which county are you based in?

Hampshire but we cover London, South East and South West, and further afield on larger projects.

Describe the work your company carries out

RMA Heritage provides effective specialist conservation, planning, design and landscape advice to the private, public and third sectors. The consultancy has significant experience of working on complex and innovative projects in the historic environment and has advised on many successful development schemes. We take an informed and rigorous approach to understanding the historic environment and assessing its capacity for change, listen to our clients, and work creatively with architects and other professions.

In the case of development projects, we can provide any of the following services:

• Pre-purchase advice
• Site evaluation, archival research and historic building assessments
• Pre-application research, planning policy review and design advice
• Heritage significance statements
• Design and access statements
• Listed Building Consent, Conservation Area Consent & planning applications
• Scheduled Monument Consent
• Consultation, negotiation and public engagement
• Planning appeals, hearings and expert witness at public inquiries
• Conservation advice during project implementation
• Historic building recording
• Landscape and visual impact assessments
• Historic Parks and Gardens
• Proposals in World Heritage Sites, National Parks and AONBs
• Urban design advice

Other areas of expertise include:

• Article 4 Directions
• Buildings at Risk Surveys and Strategies
• Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Strategies
• Conservation Management Plans
• Characterisation Studies
• Local and Statutory Lists

Give examples of up to three projects you have undertaken

The Old Rectory, Albury, Surrey
Private Client

A Grade II listed former rectory which was divided into 2 properties in the mid 20th century. We were employed by client to assess the historic significance of this complex historical site which comprises a medieval hall house, a Tudor parlour wing, a late 16th or early 17th century central chimney house and a 3-storey Victorian wing designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield c.1865. There is also a 15th century timber framed tithe barn, which we also assessed in 2018. We worked closely with Oliver West and John Scott Architects who had a brief to turn it back into a single family dwelling and to bring it up to 21st century standards and provide a kitchen extension. Guildford Borough Council granted planning permission and listed building consent for the works to the house and the barn is to be converted to staff accommodation and a store/workshop.


44 Clapham Southside, Clapham Common, London
London Realty

RMA Heritage provided a Townscape Heritage and Visual Impact Assessment and acted as heritage advisor. The design by Rolfe Judd Architects provides 297 residential units, 3700sqm commercial space, a café, a public square, landscaped open space and a basement waste transfer unit. It comprises 6 buildings ranging in height between 4 and 10-storeys and borders Clapham Common Conservation Area with nearby listed buildings. Lambeth Council was impressed with our study and the scheme was granted planning permission in March 2018.


Quintana Gate, Mary Arches Street, Exeter
The Neighbourhood (client)



RMA Heritage undertook a heritage significance and townscape assessment and worked closely with T2 architects and the development team. The site occupied a challenging corner location within Exeter’s central conservation area and covered part of the Roman military fortress. We made a successful case for delisting a Grade II listed building, which had been gutted and had its front façade rebuilt in the 1980s. The new-build scheme provides 127 premium student rooms and its contemporary design respects the scale and character of the adjacent listed buildings. Extensive pre-application consultation with urban design and heritage officers at Exeter City Council resulted in unanimous approval at the Planning Committee in 2016. We also provided heritage planning advice on the corner site opposite, and here a similar scheme by T2 architects for 31 student rooms was granted planning permission in 2017. Together they provide a new gateway into the walled town and make a positive contribution to the city’s skyline.

HESPR 'Designated Service Adviser'

Name: Richard MacCullagh MRTPI IHBC MSc Dip TP BA (Hons)

Job title: Director

Tel:  023 80 760043      0797 905 0947

Email:  richard@rmaheritage.com

Which of the following roles do you consider your company carries out under the HESPR scheme?

Historic Building conservation YES

Conservation planning YES

Architectural design and new build in historic areas  YES

Historical research YES

Historic area assessments YES

Project Management  YES

Archaeology  

Other  
Landscape architecture advice