Commercial – Remodelling – Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Urban Designs were appointed to design and oversee the restoration and enhancement of a prominent corner building within the Swadlincote Conservation Area. The project forms part of the Swadlincote Townscape Heritage Scheme, which supports sensitive refurbishment of historic buildings through targeted grant funding.

Located at the junction of High Street and Belmont Street, the existing building had undergone a number of unsympathetic alterations over the decades, diminishing its architectural character and contribution to the street scene. Urban Designs were commissioned to develop a scheme that would reinstate the building’s original Victorian charm, while enhancing its presence within the wider conservation area.

Urban Designs were responsible for submitting and managing a suite of planning applications associated with the project, including Change of Use, Consent to Display Advertisements, and consent for demolition and refurbishment works. Liaison with the local authority, conservation officers, and the wider project team ensured that all proposals aligned with both heritage guidance and planning policy.

The centrepiece of the design is the reinstatement of a traditional timber shop front, informed by historic precedents and local vernacular detail. Features include large display windows, recessed entrances, a console-bracketed fascia, and carefully proportioned glazing—all of which contribute to the building’s reestablished Victorian character.

Further elements of the scheme include the replacement of first-floor timber sash windows, reconstruction of the front gabled chimney, reinstatement of a previously blocked doorway opening with a new stone surround and external staircase, and the removal of paintwork to reveal and repair the original brickwork beneath.

Adopting a conservation-led approach throughout, Urban Designs ensured that all materials, detailing, and proportions reflected the building’s architectural heritage. The result is a respectful yet transformative renovation that restores the building’s historic integrity and makes a positive contribution to the surrounding streetscape.

This project exemplifies Urban Designs’ ability to sensitively regenerate heritage assets, balancing technical planning and conservation challenges with creative, context-driven design solutions.

Services Provided