Inspire Heritage Services was established by Charlotte Bowles-Lewis in June 2018. Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire Charlotte has 15 years of conservation experience, knowledge and understanding of council processes, planning policy and practice, which is an invaluable asset to enable and secure positive outcomes for those looking to engage with the planning system. Charlotte is a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) which is the UK’s professional body for historic environment conservation specialists, and members are required to abide by the IHBC Code of Conduct. Charlotte is a branch representative on the IHBC South West Committee and a member of the South West Historic Environment Forum. Charlotte also acts as a Local Authority Representative on the Diocese of Gloucestershire Advisory Board.
Charlotte currently works part-time as the Principal Conservation Officer for Gloucester City Council and has worked with homeowners, businesses and developers to reinstate and repair traditional shopfronts, reuse vacant floor space and buildings at risk, advise on extensions and alterations to listed buildings or buildings in a conservation area, repair of sash windows and thermal improvements to windows.
Charlotte has also been involved with numerous major regeneration projects within the city. These include the conversion of Gloucester Prison, the conversion and rebuilding of three Grade II designated industrial brick warehouses in Gloucester Docks at Bakers Quay. Additionally, a number of Heritage Lottery Funded schemes including Project Pilgrim - Gloucester Cathedral a landscaping and accessibility and interpretation scheme, a £1.2 million Southgate Townscape Heritage Initiative, Llanthony Priory Project – a £4.5m scheme to restore three of Llanthony’s Grade I and II listed buildings, improve the landscape and conserve the other important standing structures on the site. As well as assisting with new development in a historic context through the master planning and development management process with the Bus station scheme, Kings Walk Shopping Centre revamp and the redesign of Kings Square and wider Kings Quarter area. Therefore, working closely with Historic England, Heritage Lottery Fund, architects, developers, contractors and homeowners on a regular basis.