Projects

EXTENSION TO GRADE II COTTAGE APPROVED AT APPEAL

The owners of this two bedroom, grade II listed cottage, which is just one third of a C17 farmhouse, wanted more space and could only extend in one way, out above the C19, brick, ground floor extension. A sensitive scheme was designed which respected the character of both the C17 farmhouse and the C19 alterations. The Local Planning Authority felt that the extension was too big and refused both planning permission and listed building consent. An appeal detailing why the extension would not be detrimental to the character of the listed building was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal was won and the owners have commenced building work.

HISTORIC ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT ALTERATION OF GRADE II* HOUSE

The owners of this grade II* listed building commissioned Heritage Vision to research the historic evolution of the house to show that proposed alterations to improve the layout would not affect the elements of the building that give it the special interest that warrant its grade II* listing. Research at the local records office identified estate records, personal papers and historic images. This information along with observation of the fabric allowed Heritage Vision to prove that the fabric proposed for alteration was not a significant element of the special architectural and historic interest of the house. Heritage Vision’s report informed the architect’s design and the report was submitted as an important part of the planning and listed building consent applications. English Heritage commended the proposal and the Local Planning Authority granted Listed Building Consent and planning permission.

HISTORIC ANALYSIS OF HOSPITAL TO INFORM REDEVELOPMENT

Made redundant in 2005, when all its services were relocated to a nearby, purpose built site, this historic, town centre hospital site, set in a conservation area, was put up for sale as a redevelopment opportunity and the site included in the Council’s Local Plan as a housing allocation. The developers commissioned Heritage Vision to carry out an historic analysis of the site, researching the evolution of buildings on the site and the history of the hospital in the town. Archives in the museum, library and county records office and observation of the buildings were used to provide a full report on the significance of the site and its buildings. The findings of the report are enabling a comprehensive redevelopment of the site to be considered which will be of great benefit to the character and appearance of the conservation area and to the vitality and viability of the town centre.

5 HOUSES APPROVED AT THE HEART OF A CONSERVATION AREA

Following the demolition of a listed village hall, because it was deemed to be beyond repair, this village centre site, at the heart of a conservation area, remained vacant and overgrown for 20 years while the most appropriate way of developing the site was debated. Heritage Vision was commissioned by the new owners of the site to gain planning permission for residential development. A detailed analysis of all of the past proposals for the site and the responses to them was undertaken, along with a conservation area appraisal to assess the type of development that would preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area. A justified site brief was presented to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority for the development of five houses, with gardens and parking. The site owners commissioned a local designer to prepare the drawings for the proposal. Heritage Vision submitted a fully justified and detailed planning application and after only eight weeks, following 20 years of debate, the proposal was granted planning permission.

SUPPORT FOR THE CONVERSION OF GRADE II WORKHOUSE

This grade II listed, C19 workhouse became redundant as a hospital in 2005. The developers engaged Heritage Vision to undertake an historic analysis of the building and the site so that the development proposal would be fully informed by the historical and architectural significance of the workhouse. As part of the design team Heritage Vision advised both on the conversion proposals for the listed building and on the new build elements that would be attached to and in close proximity to the listed building. The developers undertook extensive consultation, this along with a comprehensive understanding of the historic importance of the site and a good working relationship with the Local Planning Authority enabled a major application for listed building consent, conservation area consent and planning permission for 77 dwellings to be approved in just 13 weeks.

BARN CONVERSION PERMITTED TO PROVIDE A FAMILY HOME

A large, C19, cob and rubble stone barn, originally thatched now under a corrugated metal roof, set in open countryside but only 2 1/2 miles from the city centre for which planning permission was gained by Heritage Vision for conversion into a four bedroom home. A biodiversity survey was overseen and structural and highway concerns addressed. The scheme was granted planning permission with a minimal number of conditions