Converting an ancient Grade ll Listed cart shed into a charming single storey dwelling and making repairs to a Grade ll Listed dovecote in the curtilage of Grade ll* listed Shelfield House was a challenging project, to say the least – what with all the conditions set out by the Planning Department and Building Control.

The proposal involved converting the building into a two bedroom letting unit which will be a separate dwelling to the main house. The plan is a simple creation of four spaces between the existing trusses open to the underside of the roof. At the north end is a bedroom and shower room, and then a bedroom, a kitchen dining room with rooflights and at the south end a sitting room which will include a glazed opening up to the apex of the gable which will provide excellent sunlight penetration and expose the trusses to public view and express the openness of the building at this end.

The intention was to minimise any change to the existing structure which was limited to the insertion of conservation rooflights a window on the north end and a door on the east elevation. The new gable elevations have replaced non historic construction and are of contemporary design with traditional materials to express this century and provide a foil to the heritage asset.