Alison Davidson set up Axford Heritage Planning following a 29 year career within Local government where she developed a conscientious but friendly approach towards managing change in the historic environment, being ready to innovate, draw on a wide range of past experiences and articulate difficult concepts and laws to her clients whether they be professional personnel or home owners with little knowledge of the planning system.

With an initial background in Landscape management and horticulture, Alison qualified in Historic Building Conservation in 2000 which complemented many years of working within a busy planning and conservation service. She has since led a number of teams dealing with a wide range of environmental and heritage based services.

As a senior multi-skilled local government officer, Alison has experience in many complimentary fields of work including historic building conservation, tree/arboricultural advice, planning, urban design and landscape design and management in addition to an extensive and comprehensive knowledge of historic building conservation. She has also commissioned environmental enhancement work, art work and war memorial installation, older urban area regeneration schemes, and lighting schemes all with a view to enhancing and upgrading the public realm.

“I have worked hard to establish a solid reputation for having a pragmatic, realistic and informed approach to planning in the historic environment. Throughout my career I have gained valuable insight into many complementary fields of work so that I can now demonstrate a wide range of understanding of the processes and issues of development in its widest sense. My interest in heritage issues grew naturally out of working to commission enhancement works particularly in older areas of Hampshire where sensitivity to the historic significance of places was paramount.

I recognise that time moves on, and the best way to conserve our heritage is to see it work for us in the form of homes, businesses and a multitude of uses. The skill is to sensitively combine a modern way of living into our old and beloved traditional buildings thus bringing new life into our treasured familiar scene. In addition to my own expertise, I have developed a wide ranging network within the heritage sector and am confident in being able to offer a comprehensive service aimed at achieving the best potential from our historic environment for my clients.”

Alison has enthusiastically participated in local Diocesan Advisory Committees for the Care of Churches, and has had a key role in the local branch of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation for many years.