CTP Consulting Engineers is a multidisciplinary civil and structural engineering practice based in Sevenoaks, Kent. Established in 1987, the practice provides specialist engineering advice for historic buildings, listed structures, conservation projects and the adaptation of existing properties, alongside its wider structural, civil and marine engineering services.
Trading through Colin Toms and Partners LLP in the United Kingdom, CTP works with conservation architects, heritage organisations, public authorities, institutional clients and private building owners. Its heritage consultancy includes structural investigations, conservation engineering appraisals, repair design, technical drawings and advice on the sensitive integration of new facilities within historic fabric.
The practice's professional team includes engineers identified as accredited through the Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE). CTP's published projects range from timber-framed historic houses and listed estates to monuments, historic landscape structures and protected marine infrastructure.
CTP provides structural engineering advice informed by inspection, appraisal and the significance of existing fabric. Services include assessing structural distress, identifying potential causes of movement or deterioration and developing proportionate engineering responses.
Where practicable, proposed works seek to retain sound original material and limit disruption to traditional construction. The practice also designs alterations and supporting structures needed for continued use, refurbishment or carefully planned extensions.
CTP's heritage service includes engineers associated with the Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE), a specialist recognition scheme for experienced conservation engineers. The practice identifies James Miller, Adrian Cox and Michael Beare among its consultants with conservation engineering accreditation.
CTP's engineers work alongside architects and other specialists to develop solutions grounded in historical understanding, condition evidence and appropriate design methods. Current individual accreditation status should be confirmed with the practice where formal verification is required.
CTP undertakes heritage engineering appraisals, structural inspections, condition assessments and technical reporting for historic buildings and associated structures. Investigations seek to establish how a building was constructed, what alterations have occurred and which defects require repair or monitoring.
The resulting advice assists owners, architects, surveyors and heritage bodies in evaluating risk, planning maintenance and determining whether proposed adaptations can be accommodated without unnecessary loss of historic material.
The practice designs engineering interventions for historic masonry, timber, foundations and other structural elements. Its work can include the assessment of existing load paths, repair of deteriorated structural components, stabilisation measures and the introduction of new support where justified by the condition or intended use of a building.
CTP considers how proposed repairs will affect the surrounding fabric and whether less intrusive alternatives can achieve the required safety and performance. Engineering design may involve structural calculations, repair details, material selection and construction-stage advice.
Timber-framed buildings present particular conservation challenges because historic joints, connections and long-established deformation do not always correspond to assumptions used for contemporary structures. Structural assessment therefore requires an appreciation of traditional craftsmanship as well as engineering performance.
CTP has undertaken specialist work on historic timber-framed buildings, including Great Dixter in East Sussex. Its published account describes developing repairs that retained existing oak members rather than replacing them unnecessarily, using detailed assessment and site inspection to determine the appropriate degree of intervention.
CTP supports projects that give historic buildings viable new uses or improve their facilities. Engineering advice may be required when making new openings, modifying internal arrangements, accommodating additional loads or incorporating modern infrastructure into older structures.
CTP's portfolio includes historic properties and estates where conservation is combined with updated visitor, educational or commercial facilities.
The practice's civil engineering expertise extends its heritage services beyond individual buildings to their setting, drainage, access routes and associated landscape structures. Water management is often central to conserving historic masonry, basements, retaining structures and designed landscapes.
CTP provides drainage assessments, engineering design and advice on the condition of existing infrastructure. Its broader capabilities include temporary works, foundations, retaining structures and the repair of structures exposed to water or ground movement.
Great Dixter contains a group of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings incorporating structures from the medieval period through to the early twentieth century. CTP contributed to a programme of repairs and improvements that included Great Dixter House and its timber-framed Great Barn.
The engineering challenge was to assess historic oak frames and develop essential repairs while retaining as much original timber as possible. The published project account emphasises experienced judgement and careful inspection during the works rather than automatic replacement of members unable to meet present-day design assumptions.
CTP was appointed by Chatsworth House Trust to provide structural, civil and conservation engineering advice for the restoration of the Grade I listed Cascade. The historic water feature had experienced persistent leakage, deterioration of bedding mortar and problems affecting the tunnel beneath the cascade.
The firm's published account records site investigation and intrusive examination to establish the construction of the cascade and investigate longstanding defects. The investigation stage was reported complete, with detailed design identified as a subsequent stage. The project illustrates specialist engineering applied to a complex historic landscape structure.
Following a major fire in 2022 at the Grade II listed Dirty Habit public house, CTP provided structural engineering and heritage services for a restoration and extension scheme. Its involvement included appraisal of the surviving structure, feasibility assessments, design of structural alterations and support for new openings and reconfigured accommodation.
The challenge was to accommodate necessary new structural elements while retaining surviving historic fabric and supporting the recovery of an important village landmark.
CTP has provided heritage and conservation engineering services for proposals concerning the Grade II* listed walled garden at Harlaxton Manor. The programme aims to revive the historic garden, adapt the Gardener's Cottage and introduce educational and visitor facilities.
The work involves consideration of historic structures within an adapted landscape setting. The company's published project account describes the scheme as progressing towards detailed design rather than a completed restoration.
CTP contributed civil engineering expertise, including drainage design, to the conservation of the Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway. The wider project restored historic masonry and access arrangements while introducing a new roof to protect the surviving Victorian structure.
CTP was appointed lead consultant and structural and marine engineer for the refurbishment of historic breakwaters protecting Valletta's Grand Harbour. The listed early twentieth-century structures required detailed surveys above and below sea level to assess the condition of stone, concrete and internal chambers.
Conservation proposals were developed in consultation with Malta's heritage authorities, with emphasis on retaining existing fabric and limiting the impact of new construction. The project illustrates the practice's specialist capability in historic maritime infrastructure.
CTP's senior engineering team includes chartered structural and civil engineers, with conservation-accredited consultants contributing specialist expertise. The practice works with conservation architects, surveyors, heritage authorities, contractors and institutional clients from initial investigation to detailed design and project implementation.
For custodians of historic buildings, CTP offers an integrated combination of conservation-aware engineering judgement, structural investigation, repair design and civil engineering support, informed by practice experience dating from 1987.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Heritage Structural Engineering, Historic Building Conservation, Conservation Engineering Consultancy, Listed Building Structural Engineering, Structural Surveys and Investigations, Historic Building Condition Assessments, Structural Stabilisation, Traditional Timber Frame Conservation, Historic Masonry Engineering, Structural Repair Design, Heritage Engineering Appraisals, Conservation Accredited Engineering, Historic Building Adaptation, Sensitive Structural Alterations, Temporary Works Engineering, Historic Landscape Structures, Historic Civil Engineering Infrastructure, Drainage Engineering, Heritage Marine Structures, Conservation Project Support |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Conservation Structural Assessments, CARE Accredited Engineering, Historic Building Structural Surveys, Structural Condition Reporting, Heritage Structural Appraisals, Historic Timber Frame Analysis, Traditional Oak Frame Repairs, Masonry Stability Assessments, Structural Movement Investigations, Building Defect Diagnosis, Historic Foundation Assessment, Structural Repair Specifications, Structural Strengthening Design, Sensitive Structural Interventions, Structural Calculations, Conservation Engineering Drawings, Heritage Technical Reports, Temporary Works Design, Structural Feasibility Studies, Adaptive Reuse Engineering, Historic Building Alterations, Conservation Construction Advice, Civil Engineering Design, Drainage Assessments, Retaining Wall Engineering, Historic Infrastructure Repair, Marine Structure Surveys, Structural Project Coordination |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE), Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Chartered Engineer (CEng) |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | James Miller MA, CEng, FICE, FIStructE Conservation Accredited Engineer Adrian Cox BSc (Hons), CEng, MICE, MCIHT, MCIWEM Conservation Accredited Engineer Michael Beare EUR ING, BSc, CEng, MICE, FIStructE Conservation Accredited Engineer |
| Geographical Areas Covered: | Kent, Sevenoaks, Greater London, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, East Sussex, West Sussex, South East England, England, United Kingdom |
| Contact & Online Presence | |
| Contact(s): | Richard King – Partner |
| Email: | richard.king@ctp-llp.com |
| Business Details & Insurance. | |
| Company Trading Name: | CTP Consulting Engineers |
| Company Number: | OC334716 |
