<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Longnor Heritage]]></title><description><![CDATA[Longnor Heritage]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:54:14 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Evolution of Housing in a Staffordshire Village]]></title><description><![CDATA[How homes developed from medieval hall houses to inter-war semis Walk through almost any village in Staffordshire and you are walking through several centuries of architectural history. Timber-framed cottages sit beside Georgian farmhouses. Victorian brick cottages line the main street while Edwardian houses appear on the edges of the village. Each building reflects the materials, skills and needs of the time in which it was built. Understanding this evolution helps explain why villages look...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/evolution-of-housing-in-a-staffordshire-village</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b6be3e5a996f5d6694c43a</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:12:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_f76d72cbf21543429e011a497034e53a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Hidden Reason Old Walls Last for Centuries]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why Lime Mortar Works and Cement Slowly Destroys Old Buildings Most historic buildings across Britain were constructed using lime mortar rather than cement. This was not simply the technology available at the time. Lime mortar performs a specific role in traditional construction. It allows the wall to breathe, move slightly and manage moisture safely. When cement mortar is introduced into an old wall, that delicate balance can be disturbed. Moisture becomes trapped, bricks begin to...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/the-hidden-reason-old-walls-last-for-centuries</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b431266f1601b21823c04d</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:01:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_23346adb0cba4152b749f9f0b039d139~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Old Buildings Hate Cement]]></title><description><![CDATA[The surprising science behind lime mortar, breathability, and why well-intentioned repairs destroy historic walls If you own a historic building, the instinct is simple. Something looks worn.So  you repair it with the strongest modern material you can find. Unfortunately, that is exactly how thousands of historic buildings are slowly destroyed. Across the UK conservation specialists follow the principles of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). Their approach is based on...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/why-old-buildings-hate-cement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b42401521ab114e7db52f1</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:58:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_b4dc27090e45425db77591a9910e4f82~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_829,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Five Things That Get Owners Reported to the Conservation Officer]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most investigations start with a neighbour and a ladder Very few listed building problems begin with a planning officer. Most begin with a neighbour noticing work taking place. A skip appears. Scaffolding goes up.A builder starts removing something. Someone nearby thinks the work “doesn’t look right” and makes a quick call to the council. Within days a conservation officer may appear asking what is happening. This catches many owners by surprise because they assumed small repairs did not need...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/the-five-things-that-get-owners-reported-to-the-conservation-officer</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b1c77c19a7028f2bbf534a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:55:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_e29bb0b810b1473bb0500c4efae06d38~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why “Affordable Housing” in Planning Rarely Means What You Think]]></title><description><![CDATA[The curious world of Section 106 agreements and why the system is built in the negative Most people assume that when a council asks for affordable housing, it means building some houses that are cheaper. In practice, it rarely works like that. What actually happens is that planning permission is granted subject to a legal agreement that forces the developer to provide something the council calls “affordable housing”. The developer cannot simply build smaller or cheaper homes and sell them at...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/why-affordable-housing-in-planning-rarely-means-what-you-think</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b1c378a547e1dd3d800757</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:40:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_f53040ac5f4c4000854f9f830eebd02d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trees and Historic Buildings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Everything You Wanted to Know About Trees  but Were Afraid to Ask Trees and historic buildings often come as a package. Large houses were designed to sit in landscapes, and those landscapes mature over decades. The result is that the tree outside the window today may have been planted long before you owned the building. It may also now be subject to legal protection. Owning the house does not automatically mean you can remove the tree. Trees can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders,...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/trees-and-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b13290a547e1dd3d7f425b</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:18:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_29fdcd9136754f4d94540e7a2501319d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_858,h_473,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Conversation That Decides Planning Permission]]></title><description><![CDATA[How early conversations with planners and specialists shape the outcome of many proposals. Many people assume the planning process begins when the application is submitted. The drawings are uploaded. The reports are filed. The council begins its assessment. In reality, the most important moment in many planning applications happens much earlier. It happens before the application exists at all. Experienced applicants often spend time quietly speaking to the people who will later be asked to...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/the-conversation-that-decides-planning-permission</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b10de78a12938a4bceb703</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:42:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_9b81d101e22a4e1199e18b4d0bcc94f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_588,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Most Common Planning Conditions for Historic Buildings]]></title><description><![CDATA[How to prepare for planning conditions before you submit an application When planning permission is granted for works to a historic building, the decision rarely arrives on a single page. There is usually a long list of conditions attached. For people new to the system these conditions can feel slightly mysterious. Why are so many details required after permission has already been granted? The answer is simple. Planning authorities approve the principle of the work first, and then use...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/the-most-common-planning-conditions-for-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b10b0822bc04bb87fac9ac</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:32:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_8dad4dac0ec44cb7a3dba9fbe3b66274~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_567,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 12 Planning Compliance Traps for Historic Buildings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Working with historic buildings is rarely just about the building itself.  There is usually a web of rules sitting quietly behind the scenes — planning, building regulations, highways, ecology, neighbour rights and more. Most owners assume that once planning permission has been granted, the path ahead is clear. In reality, that is often when the compliance journey really begins. Looking through recent planning approvals across the Midlands, the same issues appear again and again. They are not...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/the-12-planning-compliance-traps-for-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ade03b1b8e90b2a7e6a38c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:01:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_261589cc629e4cd6ab0eb40b72676915~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_635,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Secured by Design and Historic Buildings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why police security advice now appears in planning applications If you submit a planning application today, particularly for a commercial building, education building or larger heritage property, you may notice something that did not appear very often twenty years ago. A consultation response from the police. Most commonly this comes from a Crime Prevention Design Advisor  and it often refers to a national scheme called Secured by Design . For owners of historic buildings this can feel...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/secured-by-design-and-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69addb77d66894c6d6f967de</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:39:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_a937c7d42ce24a79a6081be4d5199aba~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_638,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who Enforces What (and How) in Historic Buildings?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Owners of historic buildings quickly discover that repairing or altering an older property involves more than simply organising builders and materials. Historic buildings sit within a framework of planning controls, heritage protection, wildlife legislation, building regulations and health and safety law. One of the most confusing questions for building owners is who actually enforces these rules . Different aspects of regulation are overseen by different authorities, and each authority...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/who-enforces-what-and-how-in-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a9dc82a29c2f98147907b1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:41:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_a6d4f8a3ab8d4592b54b484d2939597e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_659,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What happens in a bat survey?]]></title><description><![CDATA[If repair or alteration work is planned on a historic building, you may be told that a bat survey  is required before work can begin. For many building owners this is unfamiliar territory. Understanding what a survey involves, who carries it out and how the results are used helps remove some of the uncertainty. Bat surveys are a routine part of the planning and environmental process in England. Their purpose is simply to establish whether bats are using a building and, if so, how that use can...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/what-happens-in-a-bat-survey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a94a017fac2e2861fa8c46</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:09:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_6c8244b3c12c4fb5833c50acfdb15569~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_671,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can you block holes in a roof if bats might be present?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Small gaps in roofs are common in historic buildings. Tiles shift over time, mortar deteriorates and ventilation openings appear. These gaps may seem like minor maintenance issues, but they can sometimes provide access points for bats. For building owners the instinct is often simple: close the hole and solve the problem. However, if bats are using the building, sealing those openings may be illegal. Understanding how bat protection works helps avoid accidental breaches of wildlife law. Why...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/can-you-block-holes-in-a-roof-if-bats-might-be-present</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a947d67fac2e2861fa878f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:07:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_f1fbc025c1484fecb9dfe3f4f4f00ea8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_638,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do you need a bat survey before repairing a roof?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Repairing a roof on a historic building is normally seen as straightforward maintenance.  Tiles slip, ridge mortar deteriorates and flashings eventually fail. However, when a building is old enough to contain gaps, voids and quiet roof spaces, it may also have become a roost for bats. This is where things become more complicated. In the United Kingdom bats are protected by some of the strongest wildlife legislation in existence. The law does not simply protect the animals themselves — it also...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/do-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a947bbb5dd05873345b3e3</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:07:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_77d0fbce23cd433caa82408a8d7e01fb~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_663,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Birds, Bats and Newts – Wildlife in Historic Buildings]]></title><description><![CDATA[Historic buildings often provide more than architectural interest. Over time they can become valuable habitats for wildlife. Roof spaces, stone walls, timber structures and quiet corners offer shelter for many species that have gradually adapted to living alongside people. For owners of historic buildings this can sometimes come as a surprise. During repair or alteration work it is not unusual to discover birds nesting in the eaves, bats roosting in roof spaces, or amphibians such as newts...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/birds-bats-and-newts-wildlife-in-historic-buildings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a92869f1929985ec964242</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:58:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_736eff652a3c421898f34bf2d8df84e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_654,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What can you legally change inside a listed building?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Owners of listed buildings are often surprised to discover that listing protects more than just the exterior of a building. In most cases the designation applies to the entire structure , including its interior. This means that internal alterations may require Listed Building Consent if they affect the building’s character. What listing protects inside a building Listing can cover many internal features, including: • staircases• fireplaces• doors and panelling• historic plasterwork• timber...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/what-can-you-legally-change-inside-a-listed-building</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8900419d1c2714029b17c</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:07:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_a729df23de2c4ac3aa18bd182c0de319~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_971,h_490,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What work can you do to a listed building without Listed Building Consent?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Owners of historic buildings often worry about one central question: what work can be carried out without permission? The rules surrounding listed buildings can appear complicated, but the basic principle is fairly simple. If work affects the character of a listed building as a building of special architectural or historic interest, Listed Building Consent is usually required. This applies to all listed buildings, whether they are Grade I, Grade II or Grade II *. The difference between the...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/what-work-can-you-do-to-a-listed-building-without-listed-building-consent</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a88ef919d1c2714029aee1</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:02:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_c513bded2adc4ac9babf9efdad7e32d8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_903,h_500,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Once consent is granted, how closely must the work follow the drawings?]]></title><description><![CDATA[When work is proposed to a listed building, the process of obtaining Listed Building Consent or planning permission can feel like the most difficult part of the project. Drawings are prepared, heritage statements are written and discussions take place with the local authority. Once consent is finally granted, it is natural to assume that the difficult stage is over and that the project can now proceed more freely. In reality, the permission that has been granted is very closely tied to the...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/once-consent-is-granted-how-closely-must-the-work-follow-the-drawings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a85414f1929985ec9449c2</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:51:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_46b052acbda34eb7b9bafc8b73b11178~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_910,h_481,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What natural insulation can be used in a historic loft?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Lofts are often the first place people look when trying to make an older building warmer. Heat rises, and in many historic buildings a large amount of warmth escapes through the roof. Improving insulation at loft level can therefore make a noticeable difference to comfort while reducing heating costs. For owners of historic or listed buildings, the question is usually not whether insulation should be added, but what type of insulation is appropriate . Many modern insulation materials work...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/what-natural-insulation-can-be-used-in-a-historic-loft</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8510effff75773eb9c365</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:38:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_b10a16793af1445d8b9fad56d75d3686~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_922,h_468,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Can insulation be added without harming a historic building?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Owners of historic and listed buildings often reach the same point sooner or later. The building looks beautiful, but it can feel cold in winter. Heating bills may be higher than expected. Rooms take longer to warm up and draughts can creep through floors, windows or roof spaces. It is therefore natural to ask whether insulation can be added to improve comfort and reduce energy use. The short answer is yes, insulation can often be added to a historic building . But it needs to be done...]]></description><link>https://www.longnorheritage.co.uk/post/can-insulation-be-added-without-harming-a-historic-building</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a84a580df7a7bf5034c60d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:12:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/973bf3_780990e64022459a8edabf6fe5089828~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_559,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Maund</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>