Sympathetic Development In Conservation Areas
The site on which Coach House Mews is now situated is a prominent and sensitive location in the historic town of Ware, running from the rear of the High Street down to a frontage on the River Lea.
Located within a Conservation Area the site was also designated as an Area of Archaeological Significance. The development plan put forward incorporated a strong linear footprint which reflected the historical layout of the former 'burgage' plots. City & Country Group used traditional construction methods and designs to carefully reflect the myriad of styles and materials found in the local 'street scenes'.
The design and construction also had to accommodate various archaeological discoveries, particularly the Saxon remains that were left intact on site. The final development comprised of Mews, Georgian, and Victorian design and styled new homes.
Awards
- Gold Award for 'Best Development' from the What House? Awards
- A commendation from the Ware Society for its design and construction
At Old Saint Michaels sypathetically designed new build has been used successfully at the boundaries of the site to enhance the setting of the Grade II Listed Buildings.
At Old Saint Michaels the setting had been compromised by the modern developments that had been built in close proximity to the site. Furthermore the architectural assessment of the physical relationship of the existing buildings to the overall site highlighted that the site was “leaking” visually, particularly around its western and eastern edges, and the south west corner.
When drawing up the landscape master plan City & Country decided to minimise the impact of detrimental modern influences and repair the setting. This was successfully achieved through the sensitive placement and construction of coach-house style buildings and cart lodges on the east and west boundaries of the site. These buildings have also successfully concealed the cars that need to be parked in this area, thus improving the setting of the listed building, and protecting the residents from traffic noise.
In the South west corner Whitmore House is a well designed linear-form new building which echoes the form of the hospital. It helps to create the sense of enclosure*, and reduce the visual and noise impact of the car park along this boundary.
In accordance with planning policy the new build elements at Old Saint Michaels have successfully enhanced the local distinctiveness of the site and buildings, whilst ensuring that the scale and design complement rather than compete with the existing, and have no unacceptable impact upon any nearby residential properties.
* Enclosure of spaces especially on prominent locations and street frontages, is very much in line with the latest national (By Design) guidance.