We are delighted to see that our latest project in collaboration with The Edward James Foundation at West Dean Estate is now open to the public.  It is a particular triumph to see the transformation of a redundant building in the heart of the Estate, the old biomass, reimagined and repurposed to create a much-needed larger visitors’ entrance to West Dean Gardens, along with associated retail and educational spaces.

Since 1981, the Foundation has been committed to environmentally sustainable energy, spearheaded by installing one of the first woodchip-fired biomass boilers in the UK.  The boiler was run using sustainable materials from the Estate and provided heating for West Dean College’s buildings, and others.  The success of the system led to its replacement in 2016 with a new purpose-built energy centre to the north of the College campus, enabling more than 20 of the Estate’s residential properties to be added to the arrangement while using the same amount of source material.

The old biomass, built in the 1980s

Moving the biomass operations to the new building meant the original structure, located on the south side of the College campus and close to the existing West Dean Gardens visitors’ entrance, restaurant, shop and car park, was left redundant, used only for storage and becoming somewhat overgrown.   

The Gardens, which are visited by over 80,000 people each year, had outgrown the existing visitor facilities, where ticket sales, the Gardens’ shop, and the entrance to the Park and Gardens themselves jostled for space beside the busy restaurant.  When the Foundation began considering development of a new visitor’s entrance, the old biomass with its spacious yard seemed a logical choice.  

View of the old biomass building from West Dean Gardens, behind the crinkle-crankle wall

Our involvement included overseeing the entire project, first by submitting a planning application to convert the old biomass building and for its change of use.  Unlike much of West Dean College campus, the site is not within the West Dean Conservation Area nor the grade II* listed Registered Park and Gardens, although is immediately adjacent to both.  The yard surrounding the site is also separated from the Gardens by a historic distinctive zig-zag, red brick ‘crinkle-crankle’ wall which falls within the Registered Park and Gardens, so these constraints needed to be considered throughout the conversion process.

The old biomass yard, with the crinkle-crankle wall on the right

The sustainability ethos which embodied the introduction of the original biomass in the early 1980s has continued with its transformation to the new visitors’ entrance.  Repurposed materials have been used to create shelving and furnishings, while leaving as much as the original structure as possible.  The new energy centre also provides heating for the building.

Interior of the old biomass building shown left, with the reimagined interior taking shape shown right

Now known as the Gardens Gatehouse, the old biomass re-opened in its reimagined form on 10 March 2026, providing the new visitor entrance with an information centre, craft shop, plant nursery and gift shop.  It also has a dedicated area for arts and craft demonstrations and taster sessions, such as watercolour painting, printmaking and design courses.

New entrance to the Gardens Gatehouse close to completion of the works

Interior of the new visitors’ entrance, with shelving and furnishings made from repurposed materials

It is hugely satisfying to see the project come to fruition, with so many positive outcomes.  If you have a similar project to reimagine a redundant building, or within a conservation or sensitive area, please contact us.

The 7 storey building has had a long and varied history in terms of its use, originally having been entirely residential but later occupied by professionals.  Commercial occupation continued in the 1930s when the property operated as a hotel, finally converting to restaurant on the ground floor from the 1960s, with residential accommodation above.  This use continues to the present day, albeit after a series of different ownerships.

The property has a Dutch-style gable and is Flemish brick bond with ornate rubbed brick reveals, with keystones and a decorative brick frieze.  While unlike adjacent buildings it has retained its original red brick and terracotta features, 20^th century cement based repairs have caused them to deteriorate and the building is currently in need of structural repairs and careful consolidation to restore its good looks once more!  

Following a first phase of conservation repair works prompted by the fall of masonry to the ground, this second phase will now focus on the ground and first floors of the west elevation.  This will include attention to the wrought iron handrails and railings, and re-dressing leadwork, alongside replacement of the excessively decayed decorative brickwork following essential structural repairs to the window heads.  

We initially completed a condition survey of the elevation to enable us to fully understand the situation and consider an appropriate approach to solving the problems faced by the Management Company. We then prepared detailed drawings of the existing elevations and the proposed works to submit with the planning application.

Like-for-like casting of the decorative bricks would have attracted a six figure cost and taken over a year to complete, so drawing on our experience of similar conservation repair works at Brighton’s Chapel Royal in 2012, we proposed that the units required to form the first floor window frieze will be moulded, cast and fired by hand in terracotta.   By granting consent, the local authority clearly agreed that this is an appropriate conservation-led design response.

The Chapel Royal, Brighton

The end result will restore both stability and decorative detail to the west elevation of this historic building, respecting its integrity as well as the wider Conservation Area.

Further information about the conservation repair project at The Chapel Royal can be found here.

Some of our other conservation projects can be found here.

If you have a project you would like to discuss, please contact us.

Working collaboratively with Batchellor Monkhouse and a landscape consultant, various locations for an additional dwelling to enable a farm worker to live on the farm, reasonably close to the cattle, were considered to ensure the optimum site was chosen. The aim was to provide sufficient privacy for the occupant, while minimising intervention in the landscape and avoiding impact on existing trees and hedgerows.

The dwelling has been designed to provide modern and comfortable accommodation, which allows the occupant to enjoy the setting and a sense of separation.  The choice of materials was driven by the agricultural vernacular and includes traditional masonry, timber cladding which will progressively weather and a metallic finished roof structure, all intended to settle the structure into the existing landscape.

The new farm office, forming part of the footprint of the new house, will provide self-sufficient accommodation for two workers and can be used for essential storage of equipment, as well as an office space, a utility room and WC/shower facilities.

The Planning Inspectorate concluded that “the proposal would be acceptable in conserving and enhancing landscape character.  There would be no material harm to relative tranquility or dark night skies, and no loss of key views or views of key landmarks within the National Park.”

The dwelling and office will support the growth of the farm and help generate employment within the National Park.  We are looking forward to developing the detailed design and seeing the works begin.

If you have a potential project you would like to discuss, please contact us.

The property has been a dental practice for over 100 years but wishes to expand the services it provides.  With this in mind, working with our client we have now obtained planning and listed building consent to address the disused and underutilised ground floor spaces to the rear, and to bring the long vacant first and second floor flats back into use as additional patient and staff facilities. 

Magnolia House is located in the St Faith’s Conservation Area in the historic centre of Havant.  It is one of a number of Georgian houses that characterise the area and contribute to its special interest. 

The house was built in the 18th century as a town house but turned to commercial use in the 19th century.  The building retains many of its early external and internal features, including historic panelling, doors and architraves, and contributes to the significance of the Conservation Area as a designated heritage asset.

The proposed works involve internal and external alterations to the rear ground floor entrance and within the north-west wing.  By addressing the varying floor levels in this area of the building, this wing of the surgery will become fully accessible and inclusive to the local community.  A new purpose-built entrance lobby will also create a welcoming approach and a clear route to the reception and waiting room areas, significantly improving accessibility.  

Having obtained consent for change of use from residential to commercial, it is also proposed to transform the first and second floor flats that have remained vacant for many years, adapting them from impractical residential use to a commercial purpose serving the dental practice.  On the first floor this will include reversing some mid-20th century interventions and opening up the space to create a waiting room leading to two additional dental surgeries.  The second floor alterations will provide greatly improved staff facilities and office space.  

Within their report, the Planning Department commented:

“Where new works are proposed they have been designed in a manner that respects the character of the building whilst resulting in minimal loss of historic fabric…The proposed structure is well designed and fits harmoniously into the setting…

..the scheme should indeed be commended for these proposals and they will all be in keeping with what exists currently whilst also restoring the building to a former glory.  This is very much in line with current conservation philosophy and practice.”

The scheme has enabled our client to take advantage of spaces that are not well used and to provide new facilities to better suit the needs of patients, and a growing local business.  We will now be assisting the client with the discharging the conditions for the listed building consent and the tender package.

Please visit our Projects pages to read more about some of our other commercial, conservation and heritage consultancy projects.

If you would like to discuss a potential project with us, please contact us.

We were instructed by Worthing Investments Limited to prepare a heritage statement for the proposed scheme, as part of the planning application.  

The Woolworths store first opened on the site on 28 August 1920.  The building was expanded in 1930 and an Art Deco frontage was introduced, similar to those on the company’s stores in other seaside resorts such as Brighton, Bournemouth and Bexhill.  Woolworths continued to trade on the site until the chain closed in late 2008/early 2009.  The building still has the Art Deco north elevation with Crittal windows on the first and second floors and remnants of the Woolworths signage at high level on the southern elevation.

Although the building itself is not listed or a designated heritage asset, it is located in the South Street Conservation Area and in proximity to a number of listed buildings.  The proposed development also included a large public art installation on the building’s Montague Place frontage.

The impact of the development on the wider context and the nearby heritage assets needed to be considered, taking into the account the affect on the character, appearance and significance of the Conservation Area.

The heritage statement considered each of these assets and concluded that the proposals would benefit the area, addressing a long-standing design deficiency that had previously been identified in the South Street Conservation Area Appraisal published in 2001.  It was also hoped that through the public art installation, the area would become a point of destination.

The heritage statement recommended that careful detailing and selection of materials would be paramount.  This was also raised in comments by The Worthing Society and was resolved via a condition in the planning permission.

Further information about our heritage consultancy services is available here or please contact us to discuss a particular project.

Image of proposed development produced by Sub Rosa Architecture Ltd

If you would like to discuss a potential project, permitted development or otherwise, please contact us.

It is the culmination of Jamie’s involvement in the hospice’s Rookesbury Park Silver Jubilee Appeal Rose Display, during which he spent 15 months working every spare hour making 650 hand carved metal roses and 75 limited edition stainless-steel roses with butterflies, all from recycled biscuit and sweet tins.  

The roses were sold by the hospice in memory of loved ones, to raise funds for the Capital Appeal, and formed the stem of the larger rose in the 25^th Anniversary Roses Sculpture Display in the summer of last year.

The hospice’s Capital Appeal has been fundraising to create new, brighter patient rooms and a more welcoming patient entrance, a brand new space to support children as part of their Meerkats Service, as well as a dedicated space for people needing psychology and bereavement support.  

Partner Julian Vallis and architect Trevor Munday have been working closely with The Rowans Hospice as they bring these projects to fruition, including carrying out a space audit of the original building and developing a phased master plan of extension and refurbishment.

Further details of the project can be found here.

For more details of The Rowans Hospice and their Capital Appeal please visit their website.

The Sussex Heritage Trust was established in 1977 as a charity ‘to preserve, improve and encourage the appreciation of the architectural and natural heritage of Sussex’.  The charity’s Awards ‘are designed to recognise and reward the highest quality conservation, restoration and good design of newly built projects while encouraging the use of traditional skills and crafts’.

There are nine categories of Awards with the winners in each receiving a hand crafted slate plaque to be attached to the winning project.  Other projects in the category may also be Highly Commended.

Owing to COVID-19 and the national restrictions, this year the Awards were announced in a virtual awards ceremony, introduced by Lord Egremont, President of the Sussex Heritage Trust, with Award winners and Highly Commended projects announced by the Chairman, Simon Knight.

Our work involving the extensive conservation and repair of the roof to the House at West Dean College was a winner in the Public & Community Award category.  The judges said “Superb restoration of an historic building using appropriate traditional materials.  Excellent detailing and craftmanship.  Close attention paid to future maintenance coupled with innovative and safe ladder access to all roof space.”

We are delighted that the Trust has recognised everyone’s hard work on this prestigious project.

You can read more about the project here.

Click here for information about West Dean College.

We had two projects entered in the Small Scale Residential Award category with the conversion and internal alterations to a grade II listed mill in West Sussex winning an award.  The judges said “The architects have succeeded in re-establishing and maintaining the industrial heritage of the mill by the use of contemporary materials and techniques.  Of particular note was the black metal framed glazing which had been used to divide the internal space (whilst retaining the large open industrial fee of the building) and the successful concealment of modern services”.

You can read more about the project here.

The extension to a 17^th century grade II listed Sussex farmhouse was Highly Commended, with the judges commenting “a well-considered and executed extension with fine detailing, particularly in the leadwork”.

You can read more about the project here.

If you would like to talk to us about a potential project, please contact us.

Click here for more information on The Sussex Heritage Trust.

Listed building consent has just been granted for a scope of conservation repair of the roofs and ground floor structure, as well as internal alterations including the introduction of a new surgery and sterilisation room.   Particular care was required to conserve the integrity of a largely untouched interior.

Within their report, the conservation officer states:

It is my view that the applicants have clearly and fully considered the proposals put forward in relation to the significance of the listed building. 

I am of the view that the scheme should indeed be commended for these proposals and they will all be in keeping with what exists currently whilst also restoring the building to a former glory. This is very much in line with current conservation philosophy and practice. 

This has provided a life line for this valuable community asset which will now be able to continue to offer much needed shop and post office services in the Lurgashall Conservation Area for the community and visitors, as well as help to sustain commercial and social vitality in the South Downs National Park.

https://lurgashallvillageshop.uk