Regional

We are expanding our client base throughout the South East and South West where we have established a good working relationship with Conservation Officers and English Heritage. We will also consider interesting projects elsewhere as our Principal, Richard MacCullagh MRTPI IHBC, has worked in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. We are also familiar with heritage protection in the Channel Islands.

Devon Country House

Witcher Crawford Architects

RMA Heritage was appointed by architect to undertake detailed archival research and advise on proposals for this fascinating Grade II* listed country house, which has a 900 year old family history dating back to Norman times.  We prepared a heritage significance assessment and planning justification statement, and undertook a pre-application consultation with English Heritage and District Council to secure their support for the proposals.  The scheme involved re-ordering of rooms including restoring the Great Hall and kitchen to their historic locations, internal remodelling including the restoration of a 2^nd floor Long Gallery with exquisite 17^th century plasterwork and the replacement of a rather mediocre early 19^th century octagonal galleried space and roof lantern with a stunning new glass atrium and gallery, which returned the inner courtyard to its original rectangular plan.  We also advised on the siting and design of an exciting new swimming pool building by the same architect.  Both the house and pool projects obtained listed building consent and planning permission in March 2014.

Northern Farm, Over Wallop, Hampshire

Renshaw UK Ltd.

An 18th century historic farm building complex comprising a Grade II listed 9-bay barn, staddle barn, 2 stable buildings, farmhouse, listed cob wall and large garden site. The site is located in Over Wallop Conservation Area, adjacent to open countryside and the listed barns and cob wall are on the Test Valley Borough Council’s ‘Buildings at Risk Register’.

The proposals involve converting the two listed barns to residential use, converting one of the stables to an office, refurbishing the farmhouse and construction of a new 4 bedroom dwelling. RMA Heritage produced a PPS5 Heritage Significance Statement, identified a potential development site using historic map evidence and worked up proposals with Orbit Architects. Planning permission granted in November 2010 for the new dwelling and farmhouse extension. Planning permission and LBC granted for the conversion of the barns in October 2011.

Wayside Cottage, Upton, Hampshire

Private client.

The client had made a planning application to convert a row of derelict cottages into a single dwelling and when it was being considered by Test Valley Borough Council, the Council decided to serve a Building Preservation Notice on the building which provides temporary listing. This meant DCMS had to list the building within 6 months, which they did.

On the recommendation of the client’s architect Luke Rose, RMA Heritage was brought in to assess the architectural and historic significance of the building and advise on the development proposals. By using historic map evidence and other document sources and historic building analysis, it was established that the northern half of the building was late 17th century and this was converted into 3 cottages in the 19th century and then extended south to add 3 further dwellings. It was concluded that only the northern half was of ‘special interest’ and here the proposals have been modified to respect the unaltered 19th century floor plan and a cartshed wing will be converted to a large kitchen/family room.  Planning permisssion and Listed Building Consent were granted in January 2012.

Cobbles, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire

The Turnstone Group

A development project involving the building of two new housing units and the conversion of an outbuilding in the grounds of a Grade II listed farmhouse in Sutton Scotney Conservation Area. A development proposal had previously been refused permission by Winchester City Council and then dismissed by the Secretary of State at a Public Inquiry.

RMA Heritage provided historic research and an appraisal of the site and advised the client, Masser Architects and Savills on conservation constraints and opportunities. We undertook pre-application negotiations with Winchester City Council and reached agreement on the way forward. LBC and Planning Permission were granted August 2010.

Frith’s Barn, Teffont, Wiltshire

On behalf of WGDP Ltd.

The early 19th century barn is in the curtilage of a Grade II listed building and was converted to office use in 1990. The business has outgrown the existing building and needs to relocate from this rural village location to larger premises with better transport links. The client also has to raise capital to fund relocation.

It was decided early on that the market for office use in such a remote location would be extremely limited and it would be better to seek planning permission for change of use to residential. Since the loss of employment was contrary to Local Plan Policy, a strong case would have to be made and the building had to be marketed as commercial premises for over a year to satisfy the local planning authority. We were involved in this project from the start and provided initial advice on the building’s heritage significance to WGDP and worked with Daniel Forshaw Architects to produce a sympathetic scheme, which was permitted in August 2010.

St Nicholas Road, Harnham, Salisbury

On behalf of WGDP Ltd.

A Grade II listed building located in Salisbury Conservation Area and constructed partly on top of the battlement and buttress of the Grade I listed Old Harnham Bridge, which dates from the mid 13th century. The building is situated in an area at risk of flooding (Flood Zones 2 (medium risk) and 3 (high risk).

The 3-storey house had been divided into flats in the late 20th century and in 1999 the 2 maisonettes on the ground and lower ground floor had been converted into one large unit. Our client wished to convert this large unit back into two maisonettes as it had become unmarketable. However, the increased flood risk meant that this proposal was now contrary to PPS 25 as it would involve creating another residential unit in an area at risk of flooding and the Environment Agency objected.

We argued that this was an exceptional case that should be allowed on heritage grounds as it was in the best long-term interests of the listed building. To apply the Environment Agency criteria without discretion seemed perverse in this case, as the building had until recently been inhabited as two separate dwellings for over two centuries and the site is likely to have been occupied prior to this. We also maintained that the flood risk could be managed, as there would be several days’ notice of increased risk.

Wiltshire Council Planning Committee recommended approval overturning the Officer’s recommendation to refuse based on the Environment Agency objection. The project was completed summer 2010.

New Place, Finchampstead, Berkshire

On behalf of WGDP Ltd

Provided a heritage significance statement on an unlisted much altered 19th century house set in substantial grounds in an Area of Special Landscape Significance. The house was demolished and planning permission was granted for a new country house designed by Luke Rose Architects.

Old School House, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire

On behalf of WGDP Ltd

The Old School House is a 19th century school building, which was converted to a dwelling house some years ago. Built from Cotswold stone, the unlisted building enjoys an idyllic location overlooking the River Eye and village square. While unlisted, the building is identified by Cotswold District Council as making a positive contribution to the Lower Slaughter Conservation Area.

The owner had met with a negative response from the Council when their architect proposed adding a roof extension to provide a decent sized second bedroom and bathroom at 1st floor. RMA Heritage was brought in and assessed the building’s significance and the local context. We worked closely with the architect to produce an acceptable scheme, which was granted planning permission in February 2011.