Fishpool Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire

This building is a Grade II listed former coaching inn close to the cathedral in St Albans conservation area. It was converted into a house over a century ago, and suffered prolonged decline, so it was in need of thorough conservation and refurbishment to ensure its long-term survival and productive use.

We obtained planning permission to convert it into four homes, with a very long list of conservation area conditions. We worked closely with the specialist contractors and the conservation officer to conserve the historic fabric while inserting the amenities needed for new homes.

Since it is a work of conservation, most changes cannot be seen from the outside, but we were able to add a frameless glass conservatory to the rear, clearly independent of the historic building and capable of being removed again without causing damage.