Offices in Coventry

Supporting alterations to the fenestration to a property in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification.  Mark was asked to support the proposals and provide a Heritage Statement for the demolition of an existing porch and provide new entrances to an office building in Coventry City Centre.

The scheme needed careful justification to ensure the proposals preserved the High Street Conservation Area in Coventry.  Mark undertook research on the property which was located next to Kirby House, a Grade II* listed building, dating to the 18^th Century.  It was restored in 1982.  Part of the restoration included new office accommodation either side: the subject of the proposed changes.

Mark was able to justify the proposals and the design of the fenestration.  The new works would use materials that would match the current façades of the office building.  Areas where demolition was proposed would be carefully repaired to match.  These maintained that the alterations caused no harm to the character of the building and the High Street 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 location, being next to the Grade II* building, meant that there were extra considerations. 

Mark was able to provide a Heritage Statement adhering to the NPPF and Coventry’s Local Plan. 

House in Frinton-on-Sea

Supporting extensions to a property in a well-preserved conservation area requires careful consideration and justification.  Mark was asked to support a proposal and provide a Heritage Statement for the demolition of an existing sunroom and the erection of a single storey rear extension and attached veranda.

The scheme needed careful justification to ensure the proposals preserved the Frinton and Walton Conservation Area.  The property is located in one of the most exclusive streets in the Victorian seaside resort. It comprises a built catalogue of English domestic architecture from the foundation of the resort in the 1890’s to its heyday in the 1930’s.  The property was constructed in the Edwardian period in the Arts and Crafts style in red brick and vertical tile hanging with a large canted bay window.

Mark was able to justify the proposals and the design of the extension.  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 location was highlighted in the Frinton Conservation Area Management Plan so there were extra considerations.  The report also had to take into account the Essex Design Guide. 

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

Mousehole Conservation Area, Penzance

Supporting alterations to the roof of a property in a well-preserved and distinct conservation area requires careful consideration and justification. Mark was asked to provide a Heritage Statement to support a dry roof as there was an Article 4 Direction on the property, meaning planning permission was required.

The scheme needed careful research and justification to ensure the proposals preserved the Mousehole Conservation Area, Cornwall. The villa was built at the turn of the last century and featured a Cornish slated roof.  Externally, the property was dressed in Lamorna granite blockwork and had a late Georgian villa appearance. Roofs during the Victorian era were often made from natural slate which set them apart from houses that were built previously.

The existing pitched and hipped slate roof was beyond repair. Replacement slates were sourced to match existing as near as possible to the original slates with respect to thickness, colour, texture and size.

Mark was able to substantiate that the new sourced slates would be a fitting replacement, maintaining that there was no harm caused by the alterations planned. An assessment and statement of significance was provided, taking into account national policy.

Conservation area designation does not exclude all possibility of alterations and renewal to properties within the area, but requires that it preserves or enhances the character or appearance.

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

 

Cottage, Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells

Supporting a new construction near a listed building requires careful consideration and justification. Mark was asked to provide a Heritage Statement to support a proposal for an outbuilding on a plot of land adjacent a listed building and in a conservation area.

The scheme needed detailed research and reasoning to ensure the new building preserved the setting of a 17th Century listed cottage in the Bidborough Conservation Area. The setting was particularly sensitive as the cottage was sited immediately against the South Lychgate to the Parish Church of Saint Lawrence.

The Bidborough Conservation Area designation focused on the historic core of the rural village settlement and included the historic cottages on the High Street and St Lawrence’s Church. The cottage occupied a key location within the village and was considered to contribute positively to the conservation area.

A statement of significance and a justification for the proposals was provided taking into account national policy. Mark was able to evidence his view that the new outbuilding would not harm views to or from the conservation area. He was also able to show how the development would not harm the setting of the listed cottage. The Heritage Statement demonstrated how it complied with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Local Development Framework, Core Strategy.

New build adjacent a significant listed building in a conservation area does not exclude all possibility of construction, but requires careful consideration and justification to preserve the heritage assets.

Mark was able to provide a Heritage Statement adhering to national and local guidance. Contact Mark if you are planning something similar or want advice.

Former Inn, Alton

Supporting internal alterations to timber-framed buildings requires careful consideration and justification. Mark was asked to provide a Heritage Statement to support proposals to convert a former Inn on the High Street in Alton into a children’s educational play centre. The fitting-out involved the installation of new partitions, a toilet cubicle, and a new kitchen area.

The scheme needed particular justification to ensure the proposals preserved the historic timber-framed construction. The new timber partitions needed to be carefully installed so that they did not harm the listed building. For example, the new partitions would be scribed around the existing oak beams and first floor joists. At the junction with the ceiling and beams it would be treated with a breathable lime putty joint. In this way they would be lightweight and reversible. Service runs had to avoid historic fabric.

Mark was able to substantiate that the proposals, maintaining that there was no harm caused by the alterations planned. An assessment and statement of significance was also provided.

Statutory listing does not exclude all possibility of alteration, but requires that necessary alterations be carried out in a manner that will preserve the special architectural or historic interest that gave rise to the listing. The scheme looked to adapt and upgrade the building in keeping with its proposed new use. In addition, there were public benefits in converting the building into a children’s play centre.

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

New bungalow, Harrow

Supporting new build near a conservation area requires careful consideration and justification.  Mark was asked to provide a Heritage Statement to support a proposal for a new bungalow on a plot of land near the boundary of a conservation area designated by the London Borough of Harrow.

The scheme needed detailed reasoning to ensure the new building preserved the Pinnerwood Park Estate Conservation Area, Pinner. The housing estate was laid out and constructed between 1931-9 by the Artisans, Labourers and General Dwellings Company with 420 houses. The Company was founded by William Austin, a drain laying contractor, in 1867, to meet the demand for housing in London.

Pinnerwood Park Estate Conservation Area is significant as an early example of 20th Century domestic architecture and town planning. The Area sought to provide accommodation the artisans. This was accomplished through low density housing, tree-lined streets and houses separated by soft landscaping. The garden city design led to an attractive grouping of buildings.

A statement of significance and a justification for the proposals was provided taking into account national policy. Mark was able to evidence his view that the new bungalow would not harm views to or from the conservation area. He was also able to show how the development complied with Harrow’s Core Policy Objectives.

Conservation area designation does not exclude all possibility of new build on the boundary, but requires that it preserves or enhances the character or appearance. There were additional policies to consider, as there was an adopted Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy for the estate.

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