The assessment covered both the built environment and buried archaeological remains in considerable detail. The built environment component of the survey identified features and buildings of architectural or historic interest within the existing conservation area, and fragments of historic landscape, buildings and features within the wider study area, revealing an historic connection between structures and landscape.

South Shoreditch lies at the heart of what is known in London development contexts as the ‘City fringe’, the future of which is a major public policy issue for Londoners. The dominant and distinctive character of this area derives from its history as a major centre of the furniture trade from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th.

Erith is a small historic estuary town which has lost much of its distinctive character through extensive redevelopment since the 1970s. Erith provides an example where there has been a successful scheme to minimise street clutter, such as the removal of a number of large signs within a conservation area. The scheme also provided improvements to pedestrian circulation and the reduction of traffic speeds. The scheme was funded by the ODPM and all works were completed on site by July 2006. This has always been a dilemma for traffic engineers who are responsible for both providing information to road users and maintaining highway safety, though no signs are required by Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions (TSRGD) 2002 per se. There is increasing realisation of the intrinsic value that a quality uncluttered street environment brings to its surroundings, and designers should start from a position of having no signs, and introduce them only where they have a clear function.

Kew Palace was re-opened to the public in 2006 on completion of a major project by Historic Royal Palaces to conserve its interiors and improve public access.

The repair of a nineteenth-century flight of steps in Westminster Hall, the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster, was preceded by a detailed investigation of the ground conditions and archaeology.

The project demonstrated how older properties can positively contribute to a low carbon economy.

This Scheduled Ancient Monument was steadily deteriorating and inaccessible to the local community. The owners, Royal Borough of Kingston and English Heritage have worked in partnership to find the correct conservation solution, both in terms of the building’s care and also its presentation and interpretation. Ivy Conduit was removed from the English Heritage ‘Buildings at Risk’ register at the end of 2004 due to its successful restoration.