Heritage Consultant for Lymington Sea Water Baths Feasibility Study

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is seeking an experienced Heritage Consultant to undertake a comprehensive heritage review of the Lymington Sea Water Baths, a Grade II* listed structure established in 1833 and among the earliest surviving open-air seawater bathing facilities in the UK. The site has significant architectural, cultural and social heritage value but faces risks from structural deterioration and marine exposure. You will provide an authoritative assessment of the site's historical development, architectural features, cultural significance and heritage value to inform design, community engagement and future funding applications. Key responsibilities include: - Reviewing existing reports, archives, historic surveys, photographs and local records - Conducting archival research in collaboration with local museums, archives and heritage organisations - Creating a detailed chronology of the Baths' development and changing community role - Assessing heritage significance of structures, engineering features, setting and architectural elements - Evaluating social and cultural history contributions to leisure, health, tourism and local identity - Identifying heritage constraints, risks and opportunities for the design process - Advising the architectural and engineering team through RIBA Stage 2 design development - Preparing conservation principles and heritage guidance for future decisions - Developing accessible heritage stories and content for public consultation and interpretation - Collaborating with the Council, Project Manager, Design Team and other specialists Deliverables include a Heritage Scoping Note, detailed Heritage Review Report, Heritage Significance Assessment, design integration advice for RIBA Stages 0-2, guidance on constraints and opportunities, interpretation themes and content, and a summary for National Lottery Heritage Fund reporting. Budget: £10,000 (excluding VAT), inclusive of all professional time, research, meetings, travel and expenses. Contract mobilisation: late September 2026. All deliverables must be completed by 31 August 2027. Reports must be clearly written, accessible, well-illustrated and suitable for the Council, professional advisers, community stakeholders and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.