Chris Surfleet
Divisional Managing Partner
Head of Heritage and Urban Design Studio
Chris ensures he fully understands his clients' vision for their development, which is a priority for him as they often have a lot at stake.
Chris ensures he fully understands his clients' vision for their development, which is a priority for him as they often have a lot at stake.
Chris's know-how and experience in this niche sector means he can provide his clients with clear advice around all things heritage - heritage statements, impact assessments, townscape analysis and regeneration.
From listed buildings and master planning to work on regeneration and residential projects, Chris has some of the widest experience in his discipline. Equipped with the vision to work through problems, he will come up with creative solutions to navigate the planning process.
Supporting a range of different property types, Chris enjoys sinking his teeth into complex projects, especially design- and impact-related challenges. His clients include housebuilders, institutions, developers, estates, and numerous privately-owned homes.
Chris enjoys working collaboratively with planners, architects and developers to ensure his clients’ visions are realised.
Chris Surfleet - employ people like him and the rest will sort itself out.
There was a lot at stake in this project, we’re both ecstatic with Chris and his team’s work.
Accreditation
Watt a conundrum: renewable energy and the historic environment
Cambridge has over the last week been at the centre of the tussle between protecting our historic environment and adapting our heritage assets to be best equipped to face the ever-worsening climate crisis. This debate has coincided with the formation of a new government department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Why we need to make heritage assessments 'thoroughly thorough'
The process of completing heritage assessments is not what it once was. Certain things used to be OK to say, or sufficient for the job. Not now. The margin for error is now so slim and the structure for justifying your conclusions so well established now, that there is little wriggle room. Therefore, the buzz word is “thoroughness”.
Statements of Heritage Significance - an advice note from Historic England
In October 2019, Historic England (HE) published an advice note, which provides guidance on the assessment of heritage assets. In Bidwells' latest planning alert, Chris Surfleet and Steven Handforth sets out the advice note's key points and how this affects the decision-making process relating to heritage assets.
Bidwells breaks into top 15 of UK planning consultancy league table
Bidwells has shot up Planning Magazine’s consultancy rankings to become the 15th largest team of chartered planners in the UK. The news comes soon after Bidwells made four promotions in its senior team to support its growing client base within the Cambridge to Oxford Growth Corridor.
Non-designated heritage assets in Conservation Areas
A recent Court Judgment has brought some additional and important clarification on how non-designated heritage assets (NDHAs) in Conservation Areas should be dealt with in the context of planning decisions.
What is a Listed Building?
A listed building is a UK building that is recognised by the Secretary of State (for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) as being of national importance due to its historic significance or architectural merit. The building is placed (or listed) on an official register known as the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
The most beautiful universities in the world
Bidwells looks into what makes Oxford and Cambridge two of the most beautiful universities in the world.
What is Curtilage?
Curtilage is an important legal concept when it comes to property and land. It refers to an area of land attached to a house, which forms one enclosure with that house – for example, a garden, a yard or an outbuilding.
Spectacular new student accommodation in the heart of Manchester
Permission for the second largest residential building in Portsmouth
Overturning a refused planning application on appeal
