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Vale Garden Houses, Belton Park, Londonthorpe Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9SJ.
Vale Garden Houses, Belton Park, Londonthorpe Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9SJ.
Extending a listed building presents a unique opportunity to enhance both its functionality and character. Whether it’s a period cottage, a historic townhouse, or a grand country home, a well-designed extension can blend seamlessly with, and even complement the original architecture.
A carefully planned extension can create additional living space, improve natural light, and enhance the connection between old and new. From a elegant glass conservatory to sympathetic brick and stone additions, there are many ways to extend a listed property while preserving its heritage.
We've put together a selection of inspiring completed projects that showcase how listed buildings can be extended, we hope these ideas demonstrate what’s possible and help inspire your own project.
Owners of this listed property in Somerset were looking to replace a single glazed dilapidated existing structure which had seen better days. After consulting the local authority, the brief was that the general footprint and lean-to design should not be deviated from too significantly.
Challenged to create a beautiful addition within such restrictions, Vale designed and built the resulting structure, creating an outstanding feature on a previously plain aspect of this charming property.
This early 18th century Listed property in Norfolk was extended in the 20th century with a single glazed flat roof extension to the main garden elevation that had become very draughty.
The owners opted to remove this structure and replace it with a double glazed thermally efficient build, providing them with a bright and airy room from which to enjoy their gardens at all times of the day.
Suitably proportioned to be in keeping with the existing elegant tall downstairs sash windows, the new orangery has provided an addition of architectural merit which could be looked back on as a key phase in the buildings organic and evolutionary development.
This garden room has replaced an old solid infill, swapping a dark room with a large proportion of masonry walls for a functional and bright glazed solution, linking two buildings which were previously separate on this renovation project in Wiltshire.
The new addition has provided the homeowners with a capacious area to enjoy views of the garden which blends seamlessly with the history of this Grade II listed house.
Our client’s pre-existing conservatory wasn’t suitable for frequent use, partly due to its inability to retain heat and its lack of ventilation which left the room too cold during winter and too hot during summer. It was our client’s wish to remove the existing conservatory in order to allow for the addition of a bespoke timber and double glazed garden room.
We worked on this property in conjunction with design and project management specialists, Huntsmore, who managed the lower ground floor renovation of the rest of the Georgian townhouse.
A beautiful Georgian house in Buckinghamshire plays host to one of our more unusual designs where a leaf gathering corner of this terrace has been transformed into a stylish dining room off the kitchen.
This interesting curved design, inspired by the original architecture on the front of the house, was previously a dark and unused recess within the garden. It utilises existing external walls within the structure and provides a continuous visual glazed screen offering panoramic views of the gardens, resulting in a well-lit dining extension.
This Listed property faced the issue of limited space at the rear, particularly concerning the kitchen area. The concept revolved around crafting an extension that would establish a seamless connection between various rooms in the house, effectively linking the kitchen and lounge spaces. While preserving the structural and historical essence of the Listed property posed a challenge, the outcome is a grand outstanding orangery that harmonises with the property's character, both inside and out.
This Grade II Listed Georgian hall underwent an impressive expansion consisting of a glazed living room with lead covered roof to the left, dining room to the centre with a lead covered glazed lantern and a fully glazed orangery to the right.
Owners of this substantial Victorian rectory simply wanted a room from which they could enjoy their surroundings. It was also to provide access to both the front gardens and the rear of the property which incorporated a kitchen garden and outbuildings.
As the rectory had been through several alterations and additions over the years, the new glazed addition did not need to reflect any particular style or detail, and it therefore gave our designer an opportunity to play with ideas and introduce some softer lines and curves into the design.
Our designer focused on creating a structure that seamlessly blended with the property's history, reinstating a lean-to glasshouse structure that was removed some time during the early 1900s.
By mirroring key features elsewhere within the property, such as the exquisite curved glass panels inspired by those in a historic summer house on the estate, this attention to detail has resulted in a timeless and harmonious addition to this beautiful home.
This rectory was extended with a small and decorative conservatory, adding a much-valued sitting room with views of the garden. The design features a quatrefoil motif within double corbelled columns, and large quatrefoil features set within the solid gables, all features that echo those of the original property and help the two structures to sit in harmony.
This orangery replaced an old structure on this listed Yorkshire countryside property that simply wasn’t in-keeping with the style of the original property. The new orangery provides a bright, multifunctional space and is designed in two halves, incorporating a complex rooflight and roof lantern design befitting the grandeur of this historic house.
This charming period style conservatory has created a characterful and functional addition to a quaint woodland cottage. Bargeboards and finials have been carefully replicated along with steep roof pitch to match detail on the house.
This Grade II listed thatched cottage was extended with a conservatory designed for use as a plant room, offering an exciting avenue to explore the world of plants. A conservatory plant room provides optimal conditions for a diverse array of species, allowing enthusiasts to cultivate tender and exotic plants with care and appreciation.
This enchanting orangery utilises large, glazed windows and doors to share with its occupants the beautiful surrounding landscapes and gardens. The considered use of gothic joinery featured in the doors, was inspired by the design of the portico doors on the adjacent elevation of the house. This thoughtful detail helps to tie in the new addition with pre-existing detailing on the property, ensuring that the extension harmonises perfectly with the unique themes of this period home.
The Rectory Hotel in the Cotswolds replaced an old, draughty structure with a beautifully bespoke conservatory. This glazed extension creates a light-filled space, perfect for guests to enjoy while dining.
If you are considering extending a listed property or replacing a old dated structure, you may have questions or concerns. This FAQ section answers common queries previously raised by our clients.
Yes, you can replace an old existing structure or build a new structure on most Listed buildings, but any alterations to a listed property require Listed Building Consent.
The best formula for obtaining approval when replacing old with new is to not deviate to drastically from the original footprint. Whether replacing or building new, always take into consideration that the design should be architecturally sympathetic, and the scale and proportion to be not out of balance with the host building.
Listed Building Consent is a statutory requirement as listed buildings have been judged to be of national importance in terms of their architectural or historic interest, and as such have a greater level of protection than non-listed buildings. Listed Building Consent is the mechanism by which planning authorities ensure that any changes to listed buildings are appropriate and sympathetic to their character. Whilst most local authorities are open to accepting additions to listed buildings, applications for Grade II* listed buildings and above require the consultation of Historic England and are often harder to justify. If your property is classed as a Scheduled Monument or sits on the site of a Scheduled Monument, an independent application for Scheduled Monument Consent will be an additional consideration.
Yes, listed buildings are subject to the same building control regulations as any other project. It is advisable to liaise with your local building control department to ensure your plans meet all necessary regulations and to obtain any required permits before construction begins.
For further information, we recommend you read our linked article below which covers planning permissions, structural calculations and other permissions.
Read ArticleAt Vale, we understand the complexities of extending a listed property. Our experienced designers have worked across various architectural eras, carefully developing ideas with clients to create bespoke extensions that respect heritage and add value.
With an extensive in-house library and industry-leading expertise, we design unique structures that incorporate intricate period details, from ornate columns and lead-covered domes to delicate glaze bar designs. Every project is crafted with precision, ensuring a seamless blend of old and new while celebrating the character of your home.
We hope this collection of extensions on listed buildings has sparked ideas for your own project. For more inspiration, explore our gallery featuring a mix of orangeries and conservatories, or take a look at our case studies for detailed insights into specific projects.
View Gallery View Case StudiesVale Garden Houses have the expertise to help you design and build an extension to your home that meets your needs and complements your property. We have over 40 years of experience designing and manufacturing bespoke conservatories and can work with you to create a conservatory that suits your style, space, and budget. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you bring your project to life.
Complete our online form to download or receive by post our inspirational 108-page brochure featuring an extensive collection of conservatories, orangeries and rooflights.
Request Your BrochureUnderstand the difference between a conservatory and an orangery by reading our comprehensive article on the differences.
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