Recently, a major talking point in the world of conservatory design is the increasing importance of sympathetic design and construction, especially when designing around an area of historical importance such as listed buildings.
The issues surrounding listed building consent for any alteration to a building, including adding traditional conservatories, can often vary depending on the particular building involved, but for most Victorian era or later buildings, there is often a case that can be made.
However, the case of Waters Upton Hall and its contentious conservatory is a different matter entirely, as the owners of the Grade II* listed building went about the entire process incorrectly, costing themselves a conservatory and not an insubstantial sum of money in the process.
Waters Upton Hall, which entered Historic England’s register in 1959, is believed to date back to the 17th Century, with notable architectural and historic significance to its use of period design features.
The site itself is also one that has appeared in the Domesday Book, a 1086 survey of England and Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror.
Whilst a swimming pool was approved and received the appropriate listed building consent in the 1980s, a set of uPVC sliding doors, windows, timber frame cladding and a uPVC conservatory were not approved and Historic England served a Listed Building Enforcement Notice.
Solar panels were also added that were not approved and could potentially not only affect the character of the building but also cause significant damage if fitted incorrectly.
Most of these changes and removals are of components of the building that do not form part of the historic character of the building, and restoring as many era-appropriate architectural features is a critical part, Historic England claims, of preserving the building for future generations.
The planning consultation for the application has a deadline of 19th June, at some point after which the Telford and Wrekin Council’s planning department will make a decision.