Significance is now a core concept within our planning process. Its assessment is a key part of management and of development within the historic environment. This course will introduce the process, show you what is involved in preparing assessments of significance, teach you how to read and judge such assessments, and explore the ways in which they can be used. At the end, you should be convinced about the value of significance as a planning and management tool!
Heritage Values and the Assessment of Significance
Overview
Programme details
WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025
8.30am Registration and coffee/tea
9.00am Introduction to the course
9.15am Thinking about heritage values Henry Russell
Assessing values and significance under the National Planning Policy Framework Henry Russell
11.30am Coffee/tea break
12.00pm Archaeology, heritage values, and significance – do built heritage and archaeology differ and, if so, why? Simon Cox
Heritage statements, desk-based archaeological assessments, and their content Simon Cox
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Settings and view – with exercise in Wellington Square Henry Russell
3.30pm Coffee/tea break
4.00pm Case study (Princes Wharf or Golden Valley) Simon Cox and Henry Russell
5.30pm Introduction to Bletchley Park field trip
6.00pm End of Day 1
7.00pm Dinner
THURSDAY 3 JULY 2025
8.00am Breakfast (residents only)
9.00 Heritage values – the heritage consultant’s experience Dr Nicola Pickering
10.30-10.45 Coffee
11.00 Field trip to Bletchley Park – including National Museum of Computing if possible. They are open on Thursdays
4.30 Return to Reading
7.00 Dinner
FRIDAY 4 JULY 2025
8.00am Breakfast (residents only)
9.00am Group work on Bletchley to determine values
11.00 Coffee
11.30pm Structured discussion on issues arising from site visit
12.45pm Lunch
2.00pm Heritage harm in summary HR
3.30pm Discussion of outstanding issues from course
4.00pm End of course
Digital Certification
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Tuition (includes coffee/tea) | £640.00 |
| Dinner Day 1 | £28.50 |
| Dinner Day 2 | £28.50 |
| Lunch Day 1 - Hot | £19.25 |
| Lunch Day 2 - Hot | £19.25 |
| Lunch Day 3 - Hot | £19.25 |
| Single Standard room with Breakfast (2 Nights) | £226.00 |
Payment
Payment of fees must be made in full at the time of booking.
Please note that businesses and organisations can be invoiced on provision of a Purchase Order and completed application form. These can be emailed to the CWHE Programme Administrator, email: cwhe@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Tutor
Mr Henry Russell
Course Co-Director
Lecturer in Conservation of the Historic Environment, Reading University. Henry Russell is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building’s casework committee, co-chair of the Heritage Alliance’s Spatial Planning Advocacy Group and a membership assessor for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. He served on the Church of England’s Church Buildings Council and was Chair of Gloucester Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Application
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.
Selection criteria
Accommodation
Accommodation is available to book for this course at Rewley House. If you have any questions regarding the accommodation please get in touch with Continuing Education Residential Centre res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk.
All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.