B5.2.1 Sensitive and characterful conversions

Code: 5.21c

New openings (windows, doors, and rooflights) must respect the existing rhythm, scale, and proportions of the façade to maintain visual harmony. This includes avoiding floors cutting across them, where possible.

Exception: Well-considered departures from the existing pattern may be acceptable if it can be demonstrated that proposals enhance the building’s character, improve its function, or respond to a change of use, particularly in cases where the original design is poor.

Guidance: 5.22g

If existing openings are to be infilled, the infill should be set back or differentiated to maintain the legibility of the original opening.

A traditional brick built three storey lodge following conversion to a dwelling and apartments. This included a new two storey brick apartment block adjacent to the original lodge. There are stone walls and black gates separating the buildings from the adjacent road.

Figure 150: Shows Castle Lodge in Sandal which has been sensitively converted and extended as a series of apartments

Guidance: 5.23g

Town centre shops which are converted to residential use should be converted in a way to retain the commercial character of the original building whilst making them suitable for modern use.

Guidance: 5.24g

Larger buildings, such as warehouses, mills, churches, chapels, former public houses and civic buildings, should be converted with an approach that celebrates their original industrial or commercial character while making them suitable for modern use.

This should be achieved by:

  • avoiding intensive sub-division

  • retaining original windows and doors, or replicating the original style, dimensions and materials

  • retaining features such as shop fronts, signage and machinery remnants

  • carefully locating domestic elements such as bin stores and gardens

The rear of the former Police Station on Wood Street in Wakefield following conversion to apartments. Red brick walls with extension covered by cladding and large windows.

Figure 151: Shows a former police station which has been converted into apartments at Gills Yard, Wakefield City Centre (Guidance: 5.24g)

Two shop fronts with retail on the ground floor painted blue with large shop windows with the upper floor with white render and small windows.

Figure 152: Shows two former retail units on Westgate, Wakefield City Centre, which have been sensitively converted into homes with original shopfronts (Guidance: 5.24g)

Code: 5.25c

Upwards extensions of existing buildings can be acceptable if justified in order for a scheme to be economically viable. To be acceptable, the upward extension must:

  • be set back from the original elevation

  • be no more than half the number of storeys of the original building (so one storey on a two storey building, two storeys on a four storey building)

  • use a different, but complementary, material to the original building

  • respect the geometry of the original building

Back to top