News Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Mark Price Theatre and Heritage

Shopfront, Conservation Area

September 10, 2025 by Mark Price

Camberwell, London

Mark Price Theatre and Heritage Consultant was asked to provide a Heritage Statement in support of a new shopfront. The property was located in the Camberwell Green Conservation Area but was not locally or statutory listed.

A new shopfront was required as part of a change of use to a beauty salon.

70 Denmark Hill The proposal involved the removal of an existing metal shopfront and replacement with one in a timber design. The proposals were carefully designed to have a traditional appearance and to reflect the proportions and elements of the existing building. It was felt a traditional simple timber shopfront with a single transom and fanlights would be the best approach.

Supporting such alterations to properties in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification. Research revealed that the property originally belonged to Russell & Co, who were linen drapers. The upper part of the façade dated to 1925 when extensive structural alterations were undertaken across the frontage.

An assessment and statement of significance and setting was provided. The design was carefully considered and was kept to the minimum deemed necessary. Mark was able to provide evidence that the existing shopfront was not original. He was also able to justify the proposals and the works to endorse the new shopfront.

Thus, the alterations proposed had due regard for what it is that makes the building special and significant yet helping to make the unit suitable and usable. The report was able to confirm that the proposals did not harm the significance of the building or the character and appearance of the Camberwell Green Conservation Area.

A Heritage Statement was provided that adhered to the London Plan and Southwark Local Plan policies.

Contact Mark Price, Heritage Consultant, if you would like help with a similar heritage project.

Extension, conservation area

June 11, 2025 by Mark Price

First floor extension, Epping

Mark Price Theatre and Heritage Consultant was asked to provide a Heritage Statement in support of first floor side and rear extension. The property was located in the Epping Conservation Area but was not locally or statutory listed.

A small extension was desired at first floor level to accommodate a new bathroom off the master bedroom in order to make the property function better as a family home.

The first floor side and rear extension was carefully designed to respect the character of the building and the local area. It would be constructed above and on the same footprint as an existing single storey element. It would have matching fenestration that aligns with the existing windows on the property.

Supporting such alterations to properties in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification. The house was likely to date from the Edwardian period. The property included its side and rear garden, each of which added to the setting.

An assessment and statement of significance was provided. The design was carefully considered and was kept to the minimum deemed necessary. The extension was a minor addition, in keeping with the style and proportions of the building. It was also subservient in nature, preserving the character of the building and the appearance of the property and the conservation area.

Mark was able to justify the proposals and works in order that the extension of the house could be endorsed. The assessment Mark made maintained that no important views to the houses or gardens beyond would be marred or harmed by the construction at first floor extension. Furthermore, none of the verdant garden setting would be harmed, indeed the proposal retained the spatial characteristics of the existing garden setting.

A Heritage Statement was provided that adhered to the Epping Forest District Local Plan Policies.

Contact Mark Price, Heritage Consultant, if you would like help with a similar project.

Alterations to listed building

January 30, 2025 by Mark Price

Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire

Mark Price Theatre and Heritage Consultant was asked to provide a Heritage Statement in support of alterations to a listed outbuilding in Minster Lovell, Witney, Oxfordshire.

The owners wished to make better use of the outbuilding by infilling the east end of the structure to provide a storage for garden equipment and tools. The design was carefully considered. The new panelling proposed would be horizontal, weathered down oak, feather edged to match the existing panel to the rear of the building. It would retain the arched bracing as a feature of the structure.

The heritage report formed part of a listed building application submission for works to provide more storage space. Historic building research was undertaken. The outbuilding was separately listed together with the house, both of which formed part of Charterville, an estate built by National Land Company. Charterville contained 80 smallholdings with model cottages.

Supporting such alterations to unusual listed buildings requires careful consideration and justification.
An assessment and statement of significance was provided, taking into account the West Oxfordshire Local Plan. The design was carefully considered to match existing structure and was kept to the minimum deemed necessary.

Mark maintained the plan posed no harm to the listed building. The report he prepared justified the proposals and works, meaning that the proposal could be supported by the Council. The Heritage Statement provided also adhered to national and local guidance.

Contact Mark Price, Heritage Consultant, if you would like help with a similar project.

Alterations: Conservation Area

May 2, 2024 by Mark Price

Narborough, Leicestershire

Mark Price Theatre and Heritage Consultant was asked to provide a Heritage Statement in support of alterations to divide a property into two separate dwellings. This included a new opening in the front boundary wall, alterations to the windows and new landscaping for car parking spaces. The property was located on the Leicester Road, Narborough, Blaby, Leicestershire.

The report formed part of a planning application submission for works to divide a property into two separate dwellings and associated alterations. The property was situated within the Narborough Conservation Area, designated by Blaby District Council.

Supporting such alterations to properties that are locally listed in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification. The property was likely to date from the early Georgian period. Additional research was undertaken to assess the dates of the later construction and its curtilage. The setting of the property including its hedge, wall and small courtyard contributed to the setting of the property.

An assessment and statement of significance was provided, taking into account the Blaby District Local Plan. The design was carefully considered and was kept to the minimum deemed necessary. The works to the fenestration were in keeping with the character of the building and the appearance of the property and the conservation area.

Mark was able to justify the proposals and works in order that the proposed subdivision of the house could be endorsed. These maintained that the alterations caused some harm to the conservation area, but this could be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme. A Heritage Statement was provided that adhered to national and local guidance.

Contact Mark Price, Heritage Consultant, if you would like help with a similar project.

Listed Building Refurbishment

April 3, 2024 by Mark Price

Hampton

Mark was asked to provide a Rapid Heritage Statement to support the refurbishment and internal alteration of a Grade II listed building in Hampton, Richmond upon Thames.

The report formed part of a listed building consent application for repairs to the timber sash windows and internal alterations to the bathrooms. A Statement of Significance and Heritage Statement for the property had been requested by the Local Authority in order to understand its relative significance and support the proposals.

The property was an early Georgian stuccoed villa with Victorian extensions that retained most of its plan form, some Georgian windows and many internal fixtures and fittings.

The scheme needed careful justification to ensure the proposals preserved the integrity and special architectural features of the listed property. All the existing timber sliding sash windows were to be overhauled, retaining as much original fabric as possible. The proposals also involved new tiles to the floors to make the bathrooms more usable and easier to clean.

Mark researched the case and was able to substantiate that the proposals did not harm the listed building. The proposals were carefully considered and prepared to be in keeping with existing character and integrity of the listed asset. An assessment and Statement of Significance was provided, taking into account national policy.

The resulting Heritage Statement adhered to the NPPF, London Plan and Richmond Local Plan policy.

New shopfronts

March 10, 2024 by Mark Price

Lower Clapton, Hackney

Mark was asked to provide a Heritage Statement in support of the installation of two new shopfronts in a shopping parade in Lower Clapton, Hackney.

The report formed part of a planning application submission for two shops. The property was designated within the Clapton Square Conservation Area. Supporting alterations to properties in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification.

The scheme needed careful justification as a previous application had been dismissed at appeal. The design was carefully considered to maintain the proportions of the historic building and to make it fit for purpose.

Additional research was undertaken. Early maps showed that the purpose built shopping parade with residential accommodation above was constructed around 1888. An early photograph of the terrace, taken about the turn of the century, showed the area as an important shopping district.

Mark was able to justify the proposals and the design of the new shopfronts. These maintained that the alterations caused no harm to the conservation area. An assessment and statement of significance was provided, taking into account national policy.

Conservation area designation does not exclude all possibility of alterations to properties within the area, but requires that it preserves or enhances the character or appearance. The report also had to take into account the Council’s Local Plan as well as its Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

Mark was able to provide a Heritage Statement adhering to national and local guidance.