Clear, heritage-led advice for the historic environment
Aurora Heritage Planning is an independent heritage consultancy providing clear, proportionate advice for projects involving historic buildings and heritage assets across the UK.
Based in London, Nottingham and Hull, our team brings together extensive experience across planning, heritage and the historic environment. We support development, change and long-term stewardship through informed, practical heritage expertise.
We specialise in heritage-led assessment and reporting, including fixed-price Heritage Statements and consent support for listed buildings and sensitive sites. Our work is focused on clarity, relevance and proportion helping clients understand risk, opportunity and significance without unnecessary complexity.
Where wider planning input is required, we work collaboratively with trusted planning and landscape associates, ensuring heritage considerations are addressed early and effectively.
We work primarily with developers, architects, planning consultants and commercial or public sector clients who value early heritage input, clear scopes and realistic advice, and who want heritage to support better outcomes, not obstruct them.
Rhiannon Lightfoot
- Founder & Director
Rhiannon specialises in writing heritage reports, desk-based assessments and undertaking archival research associated with the planning application process. She is an Associate member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), accredited in conservation practice that evaluates change in the built and historic environment and has worked with many institutions such as the Council for British Archaeology, local planning authority and the Church of England, National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces.
Kate Drury
- Heritage Consultant
Kate is an experienced town planner with a strong background in both private consultancy and local authority roles. She has worked on a wide range of projects, including residential, commercial, agricultural, and equestrian developments, guiding applications from inception to completion.
Alongside her planning work, Kate is undertaking a PhD at the University of Liverpool, researching the role of digital technology and artificial intelligence in planning. She holds a Master’s degree in International Planning and Development (Distinction) from Cardiff University and a BA in Geography from Durham University. Kate is also working towards Chartered Membership of the RTPI, and membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).
Mark Strawbridge – Associate
Mark is a heritage professional, landscape architect and town planner with over 40 years’ experience of heritage planning and the production of heritage and other statements to accompany applications for Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission. He is a Town Planner, a founder member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), an Affiliate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts.
Mark’s planning experience spans over 40 years in the field. He works across the length and breadth of the UK and abroad, with householders, commercial clients, developers, community and interest groups and national and local authority departments.
Victoria Branch
- Marketing Manager
Victoria is Aurora Heritage Planning’s Marketing Manager, working closely with the team to turn business goals into clear, effective marketing that delivers results, without the jargon!
With extensive experience in B2B and professional services marketing, Victoria supports Aurora by shaping marketing strategy, refining messaging, and strengthening the business’s digital presence. From website content and SEO to day-to-day marketing guidance, she acts as an extension of the team, ensuring Aurora’s expertise is communicated clearly and confidently.
Based in Nottingham, Victoria brings a strategic eye, strong attention to detail, and a calm, practical approach to helping Aurora Heritage Planning grow in a sustainable and considered way.
Hannah Wilkinson
- Executive Assistant
Hannah provides executive support across the practice, working closely with the directors to support the effective management and day-to-day running of the consultancy. She brings a background in business operations and project coordination, with experience supporting professional services teams and growing practices.
Her role underpins the operational and administrative functions of the business, contributing to the smooth delivery of heritage planning advice and the continued development of the practice.
Our Approach
We take a heritage-first, policy-led approach that recognises historic places as assets, not obstacles. Our work is:
Proportionate — scaled to the significance of the asset and the nature of change
Evidence-based — informed by research, site analysis and policy context
Collaborative — working alongside clients, designers and planners
Practical — focused on achievable, defensible outcomes
Our Purpose
Champion heritage-first thinking – We put historic buildings at the heart of development, showing they’re opportunities, not obstacles.
Respect the past, build for the future – Sustainability drives everything we do through reuse, retrofit, and responsible growth.
Give back – We use our expertise to educate and support communities in valuing their heritage
How We Work
Adapt with purpose – We stay flexible and creative, blending tradition with innovation to solve challenges.
Work collaboratively – We thrive on partnerships, valuing others’ expertise while confidently sharing our own.
Stay accessible – We make heritage simple, clear, and approachable for everyone - no jargon, no gatekeeping
Who We Are
Keep learning and growing– We never stop sharing knowledge, developing our skills, and supporting one another to thrive.
Earn trust – Reliability underpins every action, building confidence with our clients, planners, and communities.
Care for our people – We take wellbeing and work–life balance seriously, creating opportunities for everyone to grow together