Heritage Buildings Archives - Planning Design Ltd

Heritage Update Winter 2022/23

7th February 202324th January 2023 by Gary Stringer

Our Director Jon Millhouse, both a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, with a specialist interest in Historic Building Conservation brings us his latest Heritage Update on several of the interesting heritage and conservation projects that are happening in Derby and those that we are currently working on.

Planning & Design produced the Heritage Report that supported the application for renovation works by Hope Design, of the historically important Alms houses in Wirksworth. Amongst the oldest in the country, the Alms Houses were founded in 1584 by Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting. A important figure locally, Anthony Gell established the local grammar school, and upon his death left £20 per annum in his will for the upkeep of the Alms Houses. His effigy can be seen in the Grade I listed St. Mary’s Church, next door to the Alms Houses, which is well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Wirksworth.

Anthony Gell effigy, St. Mary’s Church Wirksworth

I wonder whether the recent news that Derby has secured £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to redevelop the Assembly Rooms site will finally settle the debate regarding this city centre landmark?

It was announced recently that Derby City Council, the University of Derby and Derby Theatre have successfully bid for the cash to create a new purpose-built learning theatre on the site, to be called ‘Assemble’.

It is estimated that the new learning theatre would increase theatre attendance by 83,000 and attract an additional 25,000 visitors to Derby each year, generating an additional £1.7 million per year for the local economy. The success of this bid is being heralded as a sign that “the Government see Derby as a place to invest in and culture as the driving force for regeneration.”¹

However the demolition of the Brutalist landmark has divided opinion with some declaring it as “arguably the finest 20th century building in the City of Derby” and many residents recalling happy memories of times spent there.

Whilst currently unfashionable, ‘Brutalist’ and Post-War architecture is being revaluated and being increasingly appreciated by a wider public. There are also concerns that demolishing the existing structure and building new will exacerbate climate change not reduce it and will see the waste of a building which could be re-purposed.

On the other hand, it is argued that the current building is not fit for purpose and would be too expensive to repurpose. Again redevelopment of this site is seen as a catalyst to further investment, that could help create a vibrant cultural heart for the city along with the transformed Victorian Market Hall, a new performance venue at Becketwell, and the existing Déda, QUAD and Derby Museums’ Museum of Making.

All of which adds to the debate of what constitutes our built heritage, and the important role that it plays in our modern, everyday lives.

On January 25th I spoke at the latest Networking Breakfast organised by the team at Cromford Creative and held at Cromford Mills. This was the ideal location for a presentation looking at the many social and economic benefits of Heritage Conservation including diversifying and adapting heritage buildings, new development at historic sites and the introduction of temporary structures in historic settings.

Cromford Mills, where Planning & Design also have an office, is one of the most important symbols of Derbyshire’s industrial heritage. Built in the 18th Century by Sir Richard Arkwright the works were the first water-powered cotton-spinning mills in the world, and were at the spearhead of the Industrial Revolution. They now form part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perfectly demonstrating the themes of my presentation, the Arkwright Society who manage the site has recently secured £379,000 from funders including the Rural Community Energy Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, Severn Trent Community Fund and Derbyshire County Council to reinstate a six-metre water wheel at the mills and install a 15kW turbine to provide power to the buildings.

A sterling example of utilising our built heritage whilst looking to the future.

I am pleased to report that work continues apace at Glapwell Nurseries. As previously reported we obtained reserved matters approval in 2021 for a new shop, cafe, and plant sales area at the site. Work is now well underway on the construction of 64 new homes on the site by our client Meadowview Homes, for which we also achieved reserved matters approval. A Derbyshire based bespoke house builder Meadowview have purchased and will be developing the residential part of the approved Glapwell Nurseries development. The sensitive redevelopment of the site will also see the restoration of a Grade II listed, 11th Century Bothy, the protection of an historic wall and a new public art installation to celebrate the sites history.

Meadowview Homes onsite at Glapwell Nurseries.

For updates on these projects and more information on all things planning and architecture related, as well as expert advice and opinion, sign up to receive our free Monthly Newsletter.

To discuss how we can assist with your own heritage project, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01332 347371 or email enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk.

Jon Millhouse, Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

1: Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Derby and chair of Derby Theatre board and Sarah Brigham, chief executive and artistic director at Derby Theatre

Statements of Heritage Significance

6th February 202420th June 2022 by Gary Stringer

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states: Heritage significance derives not only from a building’s physical presence, but also from its setting. The NPPF definition further states that in the planning context heritage interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic, or historic. Planning & Design Practice regularly write Statements of Heritage Significance and it is perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the application stage for our clients as it can reveal some hidden gems.

One such example recently was for our clients Oakenstone, with Belmont House a 19th Century Villa in Matlock Bath.

Belmont House is positioned in the conservation area known as Temple which is notable for its steep paths and stone retaining walls. It is part of a group of detached villas built below the Heights of Abraham and on the Tithe Map of 1847 Belmont House named collectively as ‘Belle Vue’. They are mentioned in W. Adams book of 1840 which described the group Belle Vue as private lodging houses ‘on a sweet terrace with a fine view of the Bath belonging to J. Rawlinson, esq.’ We researched James Rawlinson and discovered that he was a notable portrait artist who was a contemporary of Joseph Wright of Derby (even purchasing brushes for him when he went to London). His most famous portrait was of Erasmus Darwin who was a physician and one of the founding members of the Lunar society and a key thinker of the Midlands Enlightenment, he was also a natural philosopher, physiologist, slave-trade abolitionist, inventor, and poet and of course Charles Darwins grandfather.

We also discovered that James was the son of George Rawlinson (1734-1823) who was an architect from Derby who was ‘notably Arkwright’s architect of choice’. Historian Maxwell Craven attributes George Rawlinson to Rock House, Sir Richard Arkwright’s gentleman’s residence. He also states that he was responsible for the facade of the Greyhound Hotel in Cromford along with Alderwasley Hall and Mellor Mill in Manchester. George Rawlinson is included in Howard Colvin’s Dictionary of British Architects. He built ‘Belle Vue’ his own Villa first in 1800 and later his family built in its grounds Montpellier House (Hillside) sometime between 1833 and 1840 and Belmont which is dated 1847.

To discover research like the above it is important to research backwards in time. This ensures that all the known details are from recent years, meaning that any changes of street name or house name can be easily tracked. In preparing heritage assessments it is important that all the relevant information is sourced and referenced. Examples of sources we consulted for Belmont House was, The Historic Environment Record (HER Record), Derbyshire mapping portal for the Ordnance Survey Maps, and because the building is Grade II listed, we looked at the Historic England Listing. Also useful was the Derbyshire Dales Matlock Bath Conservation Area Appraisal. The assessment of the building in its historic context was informed by various publications including those published by the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Education Trust and other relevant historic publications. We also used old photographs and illustrations to pinpoint any original details we may have missed.

Not all properties are as easy to research as Belmont House, many houses do not have notable occupants that have left documentation in the public record. For these properties we need to look at title deeds, electoral registers, trade directories and censuses to build up an accurate assessment of significance. By providing the facts as we find them, we can help smooth the planning process because we have been able to reveal what is heritage significant about a property and what is not. Thus, avoiding or minimising any conflict between the buildings heritage conservation and any aspect of the planning proposal.

Thinking of buying a listed building or a home in a Conservation Area? For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project or property, or for more information on the heritage services we offer including Statements of Heritage Significance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help.

Heritage Project Update – Spring 2022

30th January 202422nd March 2022 by Gary Stringer

Buildings symbolising the heritage of towns, Spring

Jon Millhouse, both a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, with a specialist interest in Historic Building Conservation provides his Spring update on several of the interesting heritage and conservation projects that Planning & Design Practice are currently engaged with.

As 2022 starts, with a sense of cautious optimism as we learn to live with Covid and embrace the new normal of the pandemic, it’s been rewarding to see progress being made on a number of the Heritage projects that the team here at Planning & Design Practice are working on.

It’s a great step forward for the project that planning/ listed building applications for the first phase of the proposed £35 million restoration and transformation of Elvaston Castle Country Park have been submitted to both Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire District Council.

The proposals aim to reverse decades of under investment and secure the future of the 321-acre Derbyshire estate, which includes the historic Grade II* listed gardens. The proposals include the conversion and extension of existing buildings to create new and improved commercial, recreational and educational uses and the construction of a new roundabout, access drive, delivery drive and car park.

We are working with Derbyshire County Council and Elvaston Castle and Garden Trust, together with the National Trust as Heritage Planning Consultants on the project.

A comprehensive public consultation exercise was undertaken in the Autumn of last year and members of the public can view the application, plans and the other documents submitted at Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG, online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk or at the Planning Department, South Derbyshire District Council, Civic Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0AH.

We are pleased to be working with Belper Rugby Club to secure planning permission for an extension to their club house. This is set within an historic context being located within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, next to Grade II listed Babington Hospital. The hospital, which was previously the Belper Workhouse was designed by the famous Architect George Gilbert Scott, who also co-designed the Houses of Parliament. Founded by teachers and pupils from Belper High School in 1975, we’re looking forward to playing a part in the future of the Club.

Having worked on the original in 2013, we are pleased to have been asked to write an updated version of the Ripley Neighbourhood plan, with the town council to consult on this new draft. The Neighbourhood Area covers the whole of the parish of Ripley and sets out planning policies for this area until 2028. The Ripley Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Development Plan for the area and will be used through the planning process to assess future development proposals. We have included some new policies with the aim of recognising the, to my mind, the often-overlooked heritage of this town within the Amber Valley.

Having obtained reserved matters approval last Autumn for a new shop, cafe, and plant sales area at Glapwell Nurseries, we are pleased to see that work has started on the construction of 64 new homes on the site by our client Meadowview Homes, for which we also achieved reserved matters approval. A Derbyshire based bespoke house builder Meadowview have purchased and will be developing the residential part of the approved Glapwell Nurseries development. The sensitive redevelopment of the site will also see the restoration of a Grade II listed, 11th Century Bothy, the protection of an historic wall and a new public art installation to celebrate sites history.

For updates on these projects and more information on all things planning and architecture related, as well as expert advice and opinion, sign up to receive our free Monthly Newsletter.

Jon Millhouse, Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Proposed extension in Conservation Area

28th November 202215th February 2022 by Gary Stringer

On behalf of our client, Planning & Design Practice have submitted proposals for a single and two storey extension to a cottage within the Brassington Conservation Area, Derbyshire.

Whilst the property is not listed, believed to have been built in late 19th Century, and in the style of an Italian villa, it does have value in its history, and aesthetics.

The existing property is situated on a large plot on the northern edge of Brassington and within the Brassington Conservation Area. The dwelling is a large, detached, limestone-built property prominently sited on rising ground on the western side of Dale End – the main north – south route through Brassington. Brassington Village Hall is located to the southeast of the dwelling.

Planning permission is sought to demolish the existing northern single storey element of the dwelling and replace it with a part single storey, part two storey extension.

The existing dwelling is prominent with the Brassington Conservation Area due to its elevated location from Dale End. The original dwelling is of a simple form with traditional hipped roof. The converted garage and two small outbuildings were previous additions to the property which have been piecemeal, and each extension/addition is on a slightly different level; there are 6 different ground floor levels. The existing layout makes for awkward living space, where the occupiers have had to live in one side of the house as the garage and subsequent additions do not relate well to the main living space and have become storage spaces.

The later extensions/converted outbuildings were therefore considered less important to the overall character of the property and the Conservation Area, and their removal as part of this application was seen to be justified.

The proposed works are intended to give the owners of the property a better use of the space in their dwelling, provide an obvious entrance point and make better connections with the garden area to the west.

The proposed design of the extension will utilise the same hipped roof design as the main dwelling house (albeit with a flat lead roof section). The ridge and eaves height of the proposed extension has been reduced to provide a sense of subservience to the original property.

It is proposed to construct the new extensions in matching materials to the main house. It is proposed to use stone which will be re-used from the existing extensions that are proposed to be demolished. The principal elevations of the original house have finely cut and laid dolomitic limestone and sandstone dressings. The rear elevations are of rubble stonework.

The proposal ensures that the entire proposed north and eastern elevations of the new extensions will match the finely cut & laid limestone of the host building. Matching such a distinctive architectural style and its constructional materials etc. is considered to complement the building & Conservation Area.

At Planning & Design Practice, we recognise the importance of the built heritage in our towns, villages and rural areas. Our Heritage team includes Director Jon Millhouse, who is a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Architectural team leader Lindsay Cruddas, a registered Specialist Conservation Architect and Heritage Assistant Ruth Gray who recently completed a Masters in Public History and Heritage at the University of Derby. For more information on the heritage services we offer, or for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project or property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out how we can help.

***Left:*** Property as exists ***Right:*** Property as proposed

Heritage…in the balance

28th November 202214th February 2022 by Gary Stringer

Ruth Gray, Heritage Assistant at Planning & Design Practice looks back at her time spent living in Australia, and how that continent’s natural heritage led her to re-evaluate the built heritage of her homeland, and why preserving our heritage buildings must take account of modern concerns such as climate change.

Personally, I had no idea what heritage meant to me until I went to live by the Murray River on the border of New South Wales and Victoria in Albury Wodonga Australia, and after a while realised what I felt was missing was my own heritage, for example the food was familiar but different, their customs around holidays were great but different. But it was the buildings that at the time I didn’t realise held so much within their construction that connect with you. Having a tin roof and wood constructed walls with single glazing and no insulation in one of the hottest countries left me yearning for solid brick and mortar with stable foundations beneath my feet. With all but a few stone buildings there is not much physical to connect you building wise to the past.

Australia has of course natural heritage in spades and the landscape speaks to the people of its past, but nature also takes away swiftly anything that gets in its way and being there during the Black Saturday fires of February 2009 which destroyed over 3000 buildings the impermanence made me think it was time for me to return to the UK. According to UNESCO: ‘Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration’. This I agree with our heritage is irreplaceable, once it is destroyed, we have all lost something. To pass it on is important but its not to say that it can’t develop.

The daily struggle in planning is the tension between the clients who want to change and evolve their properties and those who push against those changes. I am all for preserving our heritage but not at the expense of keeping every single thing set in its time forever we must evolve especially in light of climate change and improve our buildings carbon footprints. I believe Australian buildings have moved on in the last 15 years since I was there as they continue to bear the brunt of environmental disasters. Locally technological changes with innovative products (for example, double glazing that mimics single glazing) means that we can both advance and preserve our old buildings while at the same time improve their footprint.

One of my first assignments for Planning & Design has been Grade II listed Belmont Cottage situated on a steep hillside in Matlock Bath, which was nearly destroyed by fire also, this Georgian Villa revealed itself to be of heritage significance because not just because of its structure but for the artist who lived there James Rawlinson. The group of buildings that Belmont is a part of were built by the Rawlingson family. The Rawlinson’s over three generations were a talented family, and James was the most eminent. Although his father George Rawlinson (1734-1823) was a Derby architect of whom it has been said ‘was Arkwright’s architect of choice’. Through working on this property, I have been able to see what the impact that a combination of artistic and architectural heritage significance has had on the client plans. There has been a balancing act of sensitive new additions and preservations that we hope will be approved soon and bring back into use this lovely family home.

Houses like Belmont Cottage which need careful consideration are a perfect example of a building that could be lost if it is not allowed to be sensitively developed. My time in Australia showed me what happens when something is destroyed for good by fire it is devasting to see entire towns disappear in one weekend. In the UK we are very lucky to have layers of heritage assets and to be able to read those and understand our past it is truely a privilege. While it may not be possible for clients to make all the changes they want to a building and others to ensure everything stays exactly the same, this is our heritage and it is important to the wider community. However, it also it has to meet 21st century living standards, along with meeting climate change targets. Therefore, it is a fine line to be trodden when dealing with a heritage building, respecting its past but also guaranteeing it has a sustainable future to ensure it is passed on as a viable asset for generations to come with a low impact on the environment.

Ruth Gray, Heritage Assistant, Planning & Design Practice

Photo Credit: BBC News

Heritage is not all about the past

28th November 202218th January 2022 by Gary Stringer

Heritage is not all about the past, we live with examples of buildings that can teach us lessons about new ways of living today. Sometimes it pays to look back at innovations designed by architects to resolve issues of their day that are also contemporary concerns, states the latest addition to our Heritage team, Ruth Gray.

For example, ventilation is currently very much on the agenda. With the Covid 19 pandemic wreaking havoc throughout the country we are again wanting methods of ventilation to ensure our patients and nurses in hospitals and schools’ children and teachers are healthy and can maintain a high standard of education. The below case studies of Planning & Design Practice projects with community buildings are a fascinating example of what can be learned from our heritage buildings.

Planning & Design Practice were commissioned by Green Square Accord on behalf of Worcestershire County Council to prepare an assessment into the heritage significance of Holyoakes Field First School and Nursery, which is situated on Bridge Street, Redditch. Whilst there is historic interest in the school being an example of the work of talented Architect Lieut.-Colonel Alfred Vernon Rowe (1880-1940) it is not his most notable or high-profile work. But our research found that the school is possibly unique for A. V. Rowe, who built many larger, multi-storied schools but these did not include Holyoakes experimental feature, the ‘marching corridors’.

The Education Act of 1907 introduced periodic medical inspections in schools to address the poor health of children across the country. This resulted in experiments in school architecture with a greater focus on light, ventilation, and provision of space indoors and outdoors for exercise. The use of single storey school buildings allowed a larger plan form, with open air verandas stretching the length of the building allowing for ‘marching corridors’, often leading to a large hall where indoor recreation could be held. Holyoakes is one example of such a plan form and having been designed in 1911 is quite early, whilst these principles had been established in the early 1900s it took some time to gain traction, being adopted nationwide after WW1. Read more about this aspect of school design here. ¹

Planning & Design Practice recent research of Outwoods House as part of their assessment into the heritage significance for a project with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) NHS Foundation Trust, found that the original part of Outwoods House was constructed in 1895 from brick and sandstone dressings in a gothic revival style. The original building was purpose built as part of an isolation hospital, which has historic significance and modern-day resonance. The Isolation Hospitals Act (1893) enabled County Councils either to provide isolation hospitals or compel local authorities within the county to do so. From the early 1890s to 1914 some 300 local authority isolation hospitals were built. Hospitals were large, dominated by parallel rows of detached ward blocks linked by a covered way, in an extreme form of the pavilion plan that even provided distinctive ventilated basements to allow the free movement of air beneath the wards.

We discovered that overall, whilst buildings of this age/type are not uncommon, and the building has been subject to some alteration/ extension, the original core is a reasonably good example of its type (architecturally speaking) and there is historic interest deriving from its links to the hospital and the story of healthcare in the area. Read more about Isolation hospitals in Historic England’s Health and Welfare Buildings document here. ²

Neither of these case studies are listed buildings but Holyoakes school is potentially eligible for categorisation as a “non-designated heritage asset” by the local authority and Outwoods House is identified by the council’s conservation officer as a non-designated heritage asset. Meaning their importance is recognised for the role they can play in providing future generations solutions. Essentially heritage buildings can help us to understand the society of former eras through their architecture, architects, and their ideas. By understanding our heritage, we can prepare for the future. These two buildings that we have discussed are commonplace but were both designed with ventilation in mind they are examples also of why heritage assessments are an important part of the planning process as the collaboration between conservation officers, planners and developers means that we can retain and reuse buildings and, in the process, discover and retain key pieces of our heritage.

1: Elain Harwood’s book ‘England’s Schools: History, architecture and adaptation’ (English Heritage 2010)

2: Historic England’s book ‘Health and Welfare Buildings‘

Another stable success for Planning Design

29th November 202223rd June 2021 by Gary Stringer

Planning & Design Practice Ltd enjoyed another stable success in a development within the curtilage of a Listed Building. A returning client is a keen equestrian (their daughter competing on the national stage) and required an expansion of their existing stabling facilities that we had previously secured permission for. The primary issue here was the impact the development could have on the setting of the Grade 2 Listed Building.

The house is an exceptional piece of period architecture, which enjoys a prominent position in the local landscape. Members of the public enjoy views of the heritage asset from two key positions, the road and two nearby footpaths. The house had a wider curtilage that included detached garaging, ancillary accommodation and a walled yard positioned close to a well-established tree line.

By engaging a careful placement of the new stable block which made use of the natural visual shielding on-site, and by recommending specific material choices, we were able to successfully convince the Conservation Officer that the development would not be harmful to the setting of the heritage asset.

Permission was granted through a delegated decision. It was a fantastic success for both the Landowner and ourselves, and was another great example of how our planning and architectural teams work collaboratively to achieve high-quality designs that address complex planning issues.

We have vast experience of working on rural projects for homeowners, landowners and farmers including equestrian development, agricultural dwellings, farm diversification schemes and Class Q barn conversions. We also recognise the importance of the built heritage in our towns, villages and rural areas and have the in-house expertise to ensure that proposals are designed sympathetically to conserve and enhance historic buildings and sites.

Heritage Highlight: From Nightingale to Nesfield

29th November 202211th May 2021 by Gary Stringer

Our Director, Jon Millhouse, a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, provides an interesting overview on a number of historic properties that Planning & Design Practice Ltd have worked on, featuring the world’s oldest manufacturing factory and healthcare pioneer Florence Nightingale.

Over the past few years, we have been fortunate enough to work on a number of important historic properties in and around the villages of Lea and Holloway in Derbyshire, each with a fascinating and often interlinked history.

Wakebridge farm, between Holloway and Crich, where we obtained consent in 2019 for restoration and redevelopment into a hotel, restaurant, creamery, and sheep dairy, was originally a mediaeval manor house and chapel. A 15th century pinfold door still survives in the kitchen of the farmhouse. The present house was built in 1772 by Peter Nightingale, local landowner and lead smelter.

Peter lived at nearby Lea Hall. I visited Lea Hall a few years ago to provide some planning advice. It is a delightfully formal, Georgian house (although with much earlier origins) tucked away unassumingly in the sleepy village of Lea.

In 1784 Peter established a cotton spinning mill at Lea Bridge, in collaboration with John Smedley. Soon after this became a wool spinning mill, a use which persists to this day (giving the business the honourable claim of being the world’s oldest manufacturing factory). We have enjoyed working with the present custodians of John Smedley Limited for several years now, including helping them to secure consent for the redevelopment of several old factory buildings to housing and the restoration of 3 listed cottages on their estate.

Peter’s father William Nightingale rebuilt Lea Hurst, a small country house on a promontory overlooking the Derwent Valley just south of Holloway, in a gothic revival style in 1820 -21. A small chapel window was incorporated into the property and survives until the present day -no doubt relocated from the former mediaeval chapel at nearby Wakebridge Farm.

William’s daughter Florence Nightingale found fame as a pioneering healthcare reformer during the Crimean war 1853 – 1856.

We obtained permission on appeal a few years ago for the reinstatement of a lost carriage drive from the centre of the village to the front of Lea Hurst. We argued that the reinstatement of the track would better reveal the history of the property by reinstating a lost feature of its parkland setting and allowing Leahurst to be approached and viewed in the manner originally intended.

Neighbouring the Lea Hurst estate is Leawood Hall, another notable country house -this time an early example of the arts and crafts style. We are currently working with the owners of Leawood Hall, and separately, with the owners of Leawood Hall lodge. The hall and lodge were built to the designs of eminent Victorian architect Eden Nesfield in 1874 -7. The surrounding gardens are thought to have been influenced by famous landscape designer William Barron.

At Planning & Design Practice we recognise the importance of the built heritage in our towns, villages and rural areas. We have worked on numerous schemes affecting Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Director Jon Millhouse specialises in heritage planning and architectural team leader Lindsay Cruddas is a registered Specialist Conservation Architect.

For more information, or to discuss how we could help with a specific project or property please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Images: Top Left – Recently reinstated track leading to Lea Hurst, Holloway Top Centre – Lea Hall Top Right – Leawood Hall

Jon Millhouse is both a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, with a specialist interest in Historic Building Conservation. He joined the company in 2004 after gaining a First in Environmental Design and Conservation at Oxford Brookes University. He has since carried out further training in Urban Design at Birmingham City University, and completed the RIBA Conservation Course.

Jon became a Director at Planning & Design Practice in 2011 and has since helped to grow the company. He has project led a wide variety of planning applications, Listed Building applications and appeals, and prepared a number of heritage assessments, context appraisals and masterplans.

Heritage project update – April 2021

19th June 20231st April 2021 by Gary Stringer

Jon Millhouse, both a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, with a specialist interest in Historic Building Conservation gives an update on a number of interesting heritage projects that Planning & Design Practice Ltd are currently engaged with.

We are delighted to have been appointed heritage planning consultants by Derbyshire County Council for their ambitious Elvaston Castle restoration project. The £35 million scheme aims to restore and find new uses for the Castle and many of the historic buildings on the 321-acre estate, as well as a new access drive and car park, to deliver a sustainable future for one of Britain’s oldest country parks. We look forward to contributing to this exciting project.

Last week we obtained planning and listed building consent for a sensitively designed extension at Derwent Valley vets, a grade two listed former public house just off the A6 South of Matlock. We are pleased to support the expansion of this popular local business.

It is great to see work nearing completion on Chase Farm, Ambergate. Chevin Homes are developing the former farmstead, which overlooks the River Derwent in the Derwent Valley Mills world heritage site, in accordance with the scheme originally devised and secured by Planning Design Practice. The scheme included both the conversion of historic Hurt estate buildings and the insertion of new contextually appropriate modern architecture. It is great to see the development taking shape and pleasing to note that the new homes have sold extremely well.

Highfield Farm, Holbrook, the grade two listed former Strutt estate farm where we obtained consent for conversion and restoration, is nearing completion. The owners have done a sterling job rescuing and restoring these lovely buildings and we are pleased to have helped them along the way.

New agricultural buildings are taking shape at Wakebridge Farm, Crich, the first step towards our consented scheme for the redevelopment, restoration and long-term economic future for the grade two listed farmstead and site of a mediaeval Manor house in the World Heritage site buffer zone.

We were delighted to hear that Derbyshire Dales District Council planning committee unanimously voted to approve the extension and redevelopment of Ashbourne Methodist Church earlier this month. We prepared a planning and heritage report to support the church committees planning and listed building applications and advised them through the application process. We wish the committee the best of luck with this extremely worthwhile project.

Finally, it is pleasing to see works commence on the redevelopment and restoration of grade two listed Callow Hall hotel, near Ashbourne, where we have provided planning consultancy support for numerous applications to help deliver a viable long-term future for this historic country house.

For more information on on all things planning and architecture related, plus national news, projects we have worked on as well as expert advice and opinion, sign up to receive our free Monthly Newsletter.

Jon Millhouse, Director, Planning & Design Practice Ltd

Planning success for “The Link” at Ashbourne Methodist Church

29th November 202217th March 2021 by Gary Stringer

We were delighted to hear the news that Ashbourne Methodist Church were successful in gaining planning permission recently for a major redevelopment of their premises.

Local councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans, and made many supportive comments which recognised the significant community benefits that will come from the planned development.

The proposed development, named “The Link”, will provide a new community hub, allowing the church to better support the people of the Ashbourne area. The development involves providing a new entrance from Station Road that will provide access to all parts of the premises, unifying all the buildings into one complex and significantly improving access. The plan will also redevelop the main body of the church, providing a flexible space suitable for community events such as concerts, as well as for worship. Once Covid restrictions allow, of course!

Part of the proposed redevelopment of the site, will see the removal of the 1940s hut at the back of the site. The proposal is to build 10 low maintenance apartments on this town centre ‘brownfield’ site, including two apartments in the existing former caretaker’s cottage “Chapel House” and others newly built.

Jon Millhouse, Director at Planning Design, a Chartered Town Planner and a Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, said, “We were delighted to hear that the Council voted unanimously to approve this scheme.

“We prepared a Planning and Heritage report to support the church’s Planning and Listed Building applications, and advised them through the application process. We wish the committee the best of luck with this extremely beneficial project.”

This is an exciting new chapter in the rich history of these Victorian buildings. The current church on Church Street was opened in 1880/81 as a Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Photo Credit: Robin Macey, Nottingham and Derby Hot Air Balloon Club

Heritage Update Winter 2022/23

Statements of Heritage Significance

Heritage Project Update – Spring 2022

Proposed extension in Conservation Area

Heritage…in the balance

Heritage is not all about the past

Another stable success for Planning Design

Heritage Highlight: From Nightingale to Nesfield

Heritage project update – April 2021

Planning success for “The Link” at Ashbourne Methodist Church

Offices

Services

Useful Links

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

GET IN TOUCH