Squire Heritage Consulting provided heritage and townscape advice for the development of two new homes on a constrained site within the Stanstead Grove Conservation Area in south-east London.
The site occupies a prominent position adjoining some of the earliest surviving buildings in the area. Historic map research and townscape analysis established the development of the site and assessed the architectural character, significance and setting of the surrounding nineteenth-century buildings, including Nos. 1–3 Stanstead Grove and the surviving former coach house.
An important part of the commission was using heritage assessment to inform the design process. Earlier pre-application discussions had raised concerns about the relationship of the development with the historic buildings and established garden character of the Conservation Area. Following further heritage and contextual analysis, the Council acknowledged that the revised scheme represented a significant improvement and a site-specific response to the character, proportions and spacing of surrounding buildings.
The resulting design drew upon the scale, proportions, roof forms and cottage character of Stanstead Grove while maintaining a subordinate relationship with the existing historic buildings. Particular consideration was given to height, massing, building line, materials, landscaping and the relationship with the surviving coach house.
The Heritage Statement concluded that the development would make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area, replacing an underused vacant site with development informed by the established architectural character of the area, while retaining important views and strengthening the legibility of the historic townscape.
