Conservation of the cultural built heritage (CBH) can be seen as a socio-economic contrib to the welfare of the community. This paper shows why the CBH is a resource for socio-e benefit, and how those benefits can be achieved in practice. It then shows the benefits and costs are likely to be distributed unevenly over the community. It concludes by summarizing a case Community Impact Evaluation in conservation, which shows how the profile of the costs and benefits amongst sectors can be predicted and evaluated. The conclusions could also be used in decision taking; discussion, negotiation and bargaining; and also in public participation.