The new team will be part of the expanding Planning Division and Chris has been joined by Kate Hannelly (pictured with him, above) and one other specialist, who starts in late Spring. Together they will provide a wide range of expertise relating to historic buildings and areas, including research and design advice.
Chris is a commercially-minded heritage consultant with over 22 years' experience in both the public and private sectors.
Before joining Bidwells, Chris provided heritage advice within Savills and WYG. He has been involved in a number of major projects, in both urban and rural environments. In addition to providing detailed advice on listed buildings and conservation areas, he also applies his experience to the design of new development in historic contexts. He is also an experienced witness at public inquiries and other hearings.
Some recent key projects, including those with other consultants, have been:
- Expert witness in support of the Midland Metro Tram System in Birmingham City Centre.
- Heritage advice in relation to a conversion scheme of Grade II* Robert Adam townhouses in Westminster.
- Setting assessment review on behalf of National Trust (South West) Region.
- Heritage advice and management plan on behalf of Imperial War Museums, Duxford.
- Heritage impact appraisals on behalf of developments for Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
- Conservation Management Plan for the Nuneham Courtney Estate on behalf of Oxford University Endowments Ltd.
- Heritage advice in support of the Daventry Town Centre re-development, incorporating 13,679 square metres of non-food retail.
Mike Derbyshire, Head of Planning, said: "Good heritage advice is vital to securing a viable planning consent and Chris brings with him more than two decades of both public sector and private sector experience in this field.
"I am delighted that we can now offer this important service at Bidwells, and having previously worked with Chris for many years, I know he will deliver a first rate, commercially focused service for our clients."
Chris added: "I am delighted to be joining Bidwells at an exciting time in the growth of their business. As a heritage professional my approach is always to recognise the value of historic buildings and places but also to identify opportunities where adaptation can bring enrichment of the environment. Heritage and change do not have to be mutually exclusive; and harm is not an inevitable consequence of development.
"The individuals in our new Heritage Team bring a wide range of experience, having worked on projects in the commercial, rural, planning, transport, residential, education and retail sectors.”
Kate Hannelly was previously a Senior Heritage and Design Consultant at WYG Group and involved in a number of projects that relate to the historic environment, ranging from smaller scale developments to large industrial estates and marinas. She also worked as a Design and Conservation Officer at Westminster City Council where she was responsible for her own caseload of work in regards to all aspects of heritage and design.
Chris concluded: "In the current policy climate, proposals which evolve and develop a narrative which responds to effects on heritage as an integral part of the project will be regarded more favourably. We have a strong track-record of providing such advice.
"Our aim is also to problem-solve. In addition to providing robust research, we also have experience of how to address aspects of design and townscape impact. We are therefore able to provide responsive and pragmatic advice where a heritage constraint has been identified."
The services provided by the team will include: Significance Assessments, Heritage Impact Assessments, Heritage Statements, Townscape Appraisals, Conservation Management Plans, Setting Impact Assessments, Advice on alterations and extensions to heritage assets, Design advice in relation to Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, Design & Access Statements in relation to heritage assets, Conservation Area Appraisals, and Expert Witness.
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