Squire Heritage Consulting - Services for the historic built environment

News

The heritage consultancy continues working on listed buildings and development in conservation/ urban areas: 2019 has already seen a number of successful schemes, including:

After research into the local heritage context in this part of Brighton, the building of a high rope climbing course above Peter Pan's Adventure Golf on Madeira Drive, was given consent. Sited on the beach in the East Cliff Conservation Area and adjacent to the grade II listed Banjo Groyne and Madeira Terraces/ Lift, the proposed was viewed to have suitable heritage context by which it can refer, architecturally and spatially.

A heritage assessment helped win support for a new extension on a building (Brock House) in a highly sensitive location in central London, the Harley Street Conservation Area. The building is adjacent Grade 1 listed All Souls Church and the Langham Hotel.Initial townscape assessment and heritage advice at the pre-application stage helped formulate a sympathetic rooftop extension that formed part of a detailed planning application to bring about the modernisation of the former BBC offices.

A Heritage statement that supported a planning application to develop a brownfield site for a new building in the context of a listed church in Enfield (Chase Side), recently received consent.

Heritage Statement led to a successful planning application on a residential scheme in South East London (Deptford). A new ground floor extension was proposed to the rear of a property located within the Brookmill Road Conservation Area.

The development of an annex to the rear of the listed 19th century Madani girls school in Tower Hamlets; The reconfiguration of internal spaces on the lower floors of a private house on Cromwell Road, Kensington;

A new glass balustrade to form a roof terrace at Acton Central Railway Station.

To assist with the planning for a new flood defense system on the Lancashire coast in the context of Middleton Towers, a heritage setting impact assessment was carried out.

A case was prepared for the replacement of the existing roof on an old warehouse building in Leather Lane with a two storey extension in order to create additional residential units on a building adjacent to listed buildings in the Hatton Garden Conservation Area. Worked with architects closely on a scheme to convert offices in a former Stable building in Regency Mews (Brighton) to a residential dwelling, including a roof terrace.

Am assessment underpinned the opportunity for Thorncroft Farm in Leatherhead to convert an agricultural building to form staff accommodation for a rural enterprise, in context of 2 listed barns.

Proposals were qualified to develop a section of the lower basement/ lightwell on the vaults of the 19th century listed mansion block of Albert Court, adjacent Royal Albert Hall.

SEE CASE STUDIES FOR MORE DETAIL ON LISTED BUILDINGS & DESIGN IN CONTEXT

Listed buildings & Conservation Areas

Assessments of significance;

Heritage statements;

Residential and commercial development;

Heritage led solutions;

Townscape proposals;

Strategic land and new development;

Heritage Lottery Fund:

DESIGN IN CONTEXT

Trent Park (Enfield)

Assess primary and secondary sources to prepare sections of the built heritage assessment, underpinning the master planning of the building and its grounds. Ensure retention of built and landscape elements of significance.

Red Brick Estate (Upper Street, Islington)

Following detailed appraisal of heritage context and visual sensitivities a statement was prepared to redevelop 1950’s estate in the context of the listed church, St Luke’s.

No’s 30-34 Moorgate

The 1980’s building at located in the Bank Conservation Area was noted (Pevsner) as looking as if it were a facsimile of “some office chamber of 1880”. The desire to strip the building back to its structural frame and re-clad with Portland stone and bronze coloured windows, required a detailed understanding of the immediate heritage and wider architectural influences in this part of the city. The consent led to advise being given on a number suitable design options for other developments in the City, at Chancery Lane and Bishopsgate.

Assessments were produced to facilitate new housing at Watts Grove (Tower Hamlets), the redevelopment of Twyford Abbey School in the setting of a scheduled monument in Ealing and the conversion of an unlisted mosque in the Northwold Conservation Area, Stoke Newington.

Chatham Interface, Medway,

Advice and project coordination for the master planning of the area, adjacent to the Historic Dockyard, including new scale and appearance in the context of listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

The significance of heritage assets and spatial characteristics were assessed at ‘edge of town’/ riverside sites in Essex, in order to advise on suitable design and development for Sheltered Housing builder. Land at a farm (Saffron Walden) was developed for 31 sheltered apartments and an infill site in South Street (Bishops Stortford) built as a contemporary residential block (52 units) within the main Conservation Area of the town.

Acton Central Railway Hall

Middleton Towers, Lancs

Regeneration

Preparation of a supporting statement for a scheme to regenerate a site in Central Luton (within the Plaiter’s Lea Conservation Area) with 18 flats was given full planning permission. Against the background of many listed buildings and historical context of the 'hatting industry' the proposals were found to provide an enhancement to the area's character and appearance.

Produced conservation reports for Highclere Castle (Hants) and Somerset House, to help with master planning, estate evaluation, release of funding and repair schedule (quinquennial) respectively.

Conservation area appraisals were produced for London Borough of Kingston, Bexley and Doncaster City Council.

The Kasbah, Grimsby Fish Docks

Undertake audit of the historic and preparation of sensitivity analysis as part of a regeneration exercise. Analysis of (un) listed buildings and historic spaces helped identify the scale and scope of redevelopment options including repair, renewal and replacement.

Written representations/ Appeals

Produced a Heritage Asset Statement in support of a planning appeal for a roof extension at Culford Mansions, Kings Road. A heritage appraisal also supported an appeal for the refurbishment to the first floor area of a retail space in Covent Garden (Henrietta Street).

Representing a client at Appeal, the decision by London Borough of Croydon to refuse planning permission for the loss and replacement of a school building (Commonweal Lodge) within the Webb Estate Conservation Area (Purley), was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

Carlton Tower Hotel (Jumeirah group)

Preparation of a heritage and design statement successfully presented at hearing to support an extension to the hotel in the centre of the Sloane Street Conservation Area.

Our response to projects is based on the principle of how best to enable appropriate architectural responses and development objectives whilst addressing opportunity's for enhancing the heritage asset. Ensuring respect for the past without restraining future opportunities.