Renovating Period or Country Home: Planning, Design & Permissions

Renovating a period home is a journey that marries the charm of original and often quirky features with the comforts and aesthetic of contemporary living. At studio elle, we specialise in guiding homeowners through this process, ensuring that each period renovation respects the property's heritage while navigating the often complex process of design, planning and cost considerations.

Period homes, whether Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian, each possess unique architectural opportunities, as well as challenges. Let’s start by looking at the broader picture, with planning considerations:

Getting Planning Permission and / or Listed Building Consent

One of the key challenges in working with beautiful old buildings, often located in equally striking settings, is navigating heritage preservation and dealing with planning restrictions. At Studio Elle, we begin each heritage property renovation with a thorough analysis of the site, building, and planning history. Understanding the Listing status of your property is essential—whether your property is Grade I, Grade II, or simply located within a Conservation Area—all of which affect how the building can be altered.

A critical first step is to uncover whether the property is Listed and if so, understanding the specific Grade and the reasons for Listing. This can be done by searching your home via the Historic England List. Knowing the exact reasons for Listing will help when working with Planning and Conservation officers. Some properties are listed as part of ‘group value’ – meaning that the property must match its neighbouring properties. In some cases, the listing may only concern interior features, such as original fireplaces, sash windows, or cornices, heavily restricting decorative work.

Understanding your home’s era is crucial—it informs design decisions and ensures that any modifications feel authentic. Engaging with local planning authorities and conservation officers early is essential to successfully navigating these regulations. In some cases, commissioning a Heritage Report may be essential. At Studio Elle, we either prepare this ourselves or enlist the help of a heritage expert for more complex properties. A heritage statementwill be required to support your Listed Building Consent application.

For our recent Listed Building Consent in a Regency Knightsbridge Apartment, Elle undertook detailed research of historic planning documents to discover a small doorway between the kitchen and dining room that existed in the 1990s but was blocked off during previous renovations. This was key to helping us argue that our proposal to introduce a large pocket door would reinstate the original layout of the property. The application was successful and is currently under construction.

Having the right professionals on board when obtaining Planning Permission and/or Listed Building Consent is crucial to the success of creating your dream home. The right architect will guide you through this process and advise when (and who!) to bring in more specialist knowledge, whether from a Planning Consultant or Heritage Specialist, to further support your application.

Renovations and Extensions to Period Properties: Design Considerations

Preserving original features, such as sash windows, cornices, and fireplaces, is key to maintaining the character of your period property. Our approach at Studio Elle involves assessing the condition of these elements and restoring them where possible, ensuring they remain a focal point in your newly renovated space. At the same time, modernisation should be sympathetic to the building’s heritage. Contemporary interventions should complement, not overpower, the period aesthetic—this might involve selecting modern fixtures that echo traditional craftsmanship or concealing new systems within existing structures.

Material selection is another crucial factor. Choosing materials that match or closely resemble the original constructionhelps maintain the home’s visual integrity and ensures compatibility with existing structures. Renovating a period homerequires a delicate balance between preserving the past and embracing the present. At Studio Elle, we take pride in working with heritage properties and offer more than just architectural services—we offer an experience that simplifies and inspires, guiding you through every stage of the process.

To discuss your heritage renovation and how we can help you transform your period property, visit our Consultations page.