Michael Copeman

alt-home

MICHAEL COPEMAN MSc, BA, Dip. Arch Cons., IHBC

HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONSULTANT

Providing independent expert advice on heritage conservation and the historic built environment.

Work areas:

Heritage statements for planning and listed building applications and appeals
Conservation management plans
Conservation area appraisals and management plans
Statements of significance
Heritage advice for feasibility studies and options appraisals
Strategic planning for public sector and not-for-profit bodies
Historic building research and analysis
Expert witness evidence
Characterisation studies of historic areas

Michael is based in London and practices throughout the UK.

biography

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Copeman is an independent historic buildings consultant with over 27 years’ experience in the public and private sectors.

After a first degree in fine art, he undertook post-graduate studies in building conservation at Edinburgh College of Art. In 1991 he joined Essex County as an historic buildings adviser. In 1996 he moved to the Heritage Lottery Fund where he managed two UK-wide grant programmes: Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) for the regeneration of historic urban areas, and Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England.

From 2003-2008 he was head of conservation and urban design at the London Borough of Lambeth. In 2008, he worked as Regeneration Plan Adviser for Turquoise Mountain Foundation, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Between 2009-2017, he worked as an associate consultant with the Drury McPherson Partnership; preparing conservation management plans, conservation area appraisals and historic building assessments; heritage statements for planning applications, appeals and public inquiries, and drafting heritage policy for a wide range of public sector, charitable and private. He now practices independently.

He has taught as a visiting lecturer in building conservation and urban regeneration at Universities including York; Heriot Watt; Westminster, and for the Workers Education Association. His MSc thesis was a study of public baths and washhouses in London, 1840-1914 and his publications include Home Secrets (Lambeth Archives 2005), contributions to architectural guides, magazine articles and contemporary art reviews. He has appeared on national television as an historic buildings expert (Hot Property, Channel 5 1997-8) and he has led study tours for 20th Century Society of which he is a former Committee member.

projects

SELECTED PROJECTS:

As independent consultant:

Chatham Memorial Synagogue, Rochester: statement of heritage significance, with Carden and Godfrey Architects, for Historic England and Medway Council (2022)

Church of St Anne Limehouse, London: statement of heritage significance and specialist advice in connection with re-ordering, for Thomas Ford and Partners and St Anne’s PCC (2022)

351 High Street, Rochester: historic building analysis and statement of heritage significance for Historic England and Medway Council (2021)

Tonedale Mills, Wellington, Somerset: statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Historic England and Somerset West and Taunton Council (2021)

Baguley Hall, Manchester: statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Historic England (2021)

Church of St Nicholas, Great Bookham, Surrey: statement of heritage significance and specialist advice in connection with re-ordering, for Thomas Ford and Partners and Great Bookham PCC (2021)

Saffron Walden Museum, Essex: statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Fourth Street Place Consultants (2020)

Lowestoft Town Hall, Suffolk: statement of heritage significance for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Historic England (2019)

Berkhamsted town centre, Herts.: historic area assessment for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society (2019)

Newark Town Hall, Notts.: historic buildings analysis for options appraisal led by Fourth Street Place Consultants, for Newark Borough Council (2018)

Ladywell Playtower, Lewisham: conservation management plan for former public baths, with Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects, for Guildmore Ltd (2018)

Creative Industries in Historic Buildings and Environments: conservation area case studies for Historic England research project led by Colliers International (2018)

Maldon Waterfront, Essex: historic area assessment for feasibility study led by Fourth Street Place Consultants, for Maldon District Council (2017)

Heritage statements in support of successful applications for listed building consent for a wide range of private houses and commercial buildings, mainly in London and southern England, with practices including: Emergent Design Studios; GPAD London; Maddox Planning; NFA Architects; Theis and Khan Architects; 4S Architecture.

As lead consultant for Drury McPherson Partnership:

Royal College of Surgeons, Lincolns Inn Fields: conservation management plan for the library apartments (2017-18)

St Leonards Conservation Area appraisal and management plan for Hastings Borough Council (2018)

Thanet Heritage Strategy for Thanet District Council (2017)

Hastings Heritage Strategy for Hastings Borough Council (2016-17)

Fenton House, Hampstead: conservation management plan for The National Trust (2016)

Harmondsworth Great Barn: conservation management plan for English Heritage (2015)

St Augustine’s Church, Ramsgate: historic building analysis for Thomas Ford and Partners architects on behalf of the Parish of Ramsgate and Minster (2014-15)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames: historic area character studies (2012, 2015)

London Borough of Enfield: conservation area appraisals and management plans for 16 conservation areas for (2013-15)

Rainham Hall, Essex: conservation management plan for The National Trust (2014)

Apsley House, Piccadilly: conservation management plan for English Heritage (2013)

Providence Chapel, Cranbrook: historic building analysis for feasibility study with Colliers International, Rodney Melville + Partners and Stand Consulting for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (2013)

As associate consultant with Drury McPherson Partnership:

Bodiam Castle, Sussex: conservation plan with LDA Design, BSG Ecology, Royal HaskoningDHV and Wessex Archaeology for The National Trust (2015)

Aylesford Priory, Kent: historic building analysis with Colliers International and McDowell+Benedetti Architects for The Friars, Aylesford (2012, 2015)

Sheerness Dockyard Church: historic building analysis with Shepheard Epstein Hunter Architects and Stand Consulting for Save Britain’s Heritage (2012)

work