What is the Historic Environment Record?
Worcester City Council keeps a detailed record of archaeological and historic sites, monuments and buildings within the city area in a database and map system called the Worcester City Historic Environment Record (HER). The HER is an essential tool for development planning but is also an excellent first point of reference for anyone researching the archaeology or history of places in Worcester. It includes an extensive reference collection of historic maps, reports and photographs. The record can be consulted by the public by appointment or you can contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Planning and the HER
The HER plays an important role in planning and can be used to inform heritage statements as required by the City Council's validation checklist and in line with paragraph 128 of the NPPF which states that when submitting an application affecting a heritage asset 'as a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary'.
HER Searches
There are three types of HER search you can apply for:
A short (single asset) search (which usually holds enough information to produce a competent Heritage Statement) charged at £130.00 (inc VAT)
This is an pdf example of a HER single site search (4.17 MB) .
A full HER search (a search which contains information for the site and surrounding area which is usually produced for sites where wider archaeological implications need to be addressed) charged at £185.00 (inc VAT)
A full HER (priority) search (as above but prioritised for a turnaround time of 2 working days) charged at £365.00 (inc VAT)
If you are interested in the HER search service for a commercial/paid Historic Environment Record search within Worcester City please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or alternatively:
Worcester City Historic Environment Record
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
Wr1 2EY
Telephone 01905 721133
Worcester City information is held within the Historic Environment Record, this can be found on our pdf HER Information Sheet (104 KB) .
Follow @WorCityHeritage to keep up to date with all HER news, or access our new web resource Know Your Place Worcester to sign up for our blog, explore Worcester’s heritage and share your own knowledge on the Community map.