Michael Copeman

about

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

HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONSULTANT

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
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
Conservation area appraisals and management plans
Expert witness evidence
Characterisation studies of historic areas

Michael is based in London and practices throughout the UK.

As an independent practitioner, Michael is able to provide a fast and flexible service, tailored to the particular needs of each client, building and project. His reports are based on first-hand site inspections and his own rigorous research, drawing on his passion for old buildings and the lessons gained over more than three decades of working in building conservation. He writes in plain, non-technical language to tell the unique story of each place and explain what makes it special and worthy of conservation. Where change is appropriate, he will advise how it can be achieved without harm to its historic significance. He works on buildings of all types, from the medieval to modern periods. He has a particular interest in 19th and early-20th century urban architecture.

He works in partnership with leading architects, landscape designers, business developers, archaeologists, ecologists, engineers and quantity surveyors. He will ensure that heritage is at the heart of a feasibility study or cultural strategy, responds to the diversity of its audiences and stakeholders, and realises its full potential for public enjoyment and understanding.

For an informal discussion of your project with no obligation, please get in touch using the contact form below.

biography

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Copeman is an independent historic buildings consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the public and private sectors.

His first degree, in fine art, was followed by 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 public sector, charitable and private bodies.

Since 2017 he has practiced as an independent consultant.

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. He is currently a member of the Folkestone and Hythe Place Panel.

projects

SELECTED PROJECTS:

As independent consultant:

St Anne’s Church, Limehouse, London (grade I): conservation management plan, for St Anne’s PCC with Thomas Ford and Partners (2024)

Himley Hall, Staffs (grade II*): statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Dudley MBC (2024)

Submarine Escape Training Tank (SETT), Fort Blockhouse, Gosport (grade II): statement of heritage significance for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Gosport BC (2023)

Royal College of Music, Kensington (grade II): conservation management plan (2023)

Newick and Ringmer Conservation Areas, East Sussex: conservation area appraisals for Lewes and Eastbourne District Council (2023)

Smethwick Baths (grade II): statement of heritage significance for feasibility study led by Colliers International for West Midlands Combined Authority/Sandwell MBC (2023)

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

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

‘Tin Tabernacle’, Kilburn, London (grade II): statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for London Historic Buildings Trust

Tonedale Mills, Wellington, Somerset (grade II*): 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 (grade I and scheduled monument): statement of heritage significance and specialist advice for feasibility study led by Colliers International, for Historic England (2021)

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

Lowestoft Town Hall, Suffolk (grade II): 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. (grade I): historic buildings analysis for options appraisal led by Fourth Street Place Consultants, for Newark Borough Council (2018)

Ladywell Playtower, Lewisham (grade II): 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)

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 Engineers 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 Engineers for Save Britain’s Heritage (2012)

work