Squire Heritage Consulting provided heritage advice and appeared at appeal in support of proposals for three new dwellings to the rear of Bell House, within the setting of the Henham Conservation Area and several Grade II listed buildings.
The proposals involved residential development on land behind Bell House, together with the demolition of its existing garage and a new extension to the house. The principal heritage issues concerned the effect of the development on the character and setting of the Conservation Area, the wider village townscape and the setting of nearby listed cottages. These formed three of the Inspector's main issues at the hearing.
The heritage case was informed by an understanding of Henham's distinctive historic character: a loose-grained village of generally low buildings, generous spacing and greenery, with a strong relationship between the High Street and surrounding rural landscape. It also recognised that the wider setting had evolved, with secondary and tertiary development already established behind the historic frontage.
At appeal, the Inspector accepted that the proposed houses would be compatible with the Conservation Area in their plot sizes, footprints, height and materials. Their steeply pitched roofs, low eaves, asymmetric gables and compact dormers were also considered to respond sensitively to the architectural language of older buildings while retaining their own identity.
The Inspector concluded that the development would preserve the significance of the Conservation Area and its setting, make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness, and enhance the setting of neighbouring listed buildings.
Squire Heritage Consulting appeared for the appellant at the hearing as part of the professional team. The appeal was allowed and planning permission granted.
The project demonstrates how heritage evidence, townscape analysis and a detailed understanding of setting can support sensitively designed new development and provide a robust heritage case at appeal.
