Grade II Listed Church Conversion
Heritage-Led Planning, Listed Building Consent & Holiday Let Apartments
Our Work Speaks for Itself
This project involved the conversion of a Grade II listed church within a conservation area in County Durham. At the point of purchase, the building was in a poor condition and at serious risk of long-term vacancy, with the potential to be added to the Buildings at Risk Register.
Through careful planning strategy, heritage-led design, and technical detailing, the building was successfully transformed into six high-quality holiday let apartments, securing its long-term future and giving it a new, sustainable use.
Sensitive Interior Conversion & Space Planning
The design focused on retaining and celebrating original features, while carefully inserting new elements to create functional, well-proportioned apartments.
This included:
Thoughtful subdivision of the internal volume
Retention and enhancement of key architectural features
High-quality material choices appropriate to the listed setting
Carefully designed layouts to suit short-stay and holiday use
Each apartment was designed to feel generous, characterful, and distinct, offering a unique guest experience rooted in the building’s history.
Unlocking Value Through Planning & Design
The transformation of this building resulted in a significant uplift in both use and value, converting a redundant heritage asset into a thriving serviced accommodation and holiday let business.
What was once a vulnerable, underused building is now a high-quality income-generating asset, with a long-term future secured through sensitive design and planning-led thinking.
Navigating Planning & Conservation Constraints
Working with listed buildings demands a sensitive, informed approach from day one.
This scheme was developed through early consultation and pre-application discussions with planning and heritage officers, ensuring the proposals respected the architectural significance of the building while enabling meaningful reuse.
The project required multiple planning applications and listed building consents, each carefully justified to balance heritage preservation with modern standards of comfort, safety, and accessibility.
The result was full approval for a comprehensive internal conversion that preserved the character of the church while unlocking its commercial and architectural potential.
From Concept to Completion
This project was delivered from initial consultation through to completion, using our in-house expertise to manage every stage of the process.
Our role included:
Initial feasibility and heritage assessment
Pre-application advice and planning strategy
Planning applications and listed building consent
Construction drawings and technical detailing
Interior design and specification
Furnishing and final fit-out
By maintaining continuity throughout, we ensured the vision was carried through from first sketch to finished space.
A Heritage Building Given a New Lease of Life
This project demonstrates how listed buildings and conservation assets can be successfully repurposed when design, planning, and heritage considerations are aligned from the outset.
If you’re considering the conversion of a listed building, church, or heritage property, early strategy and specialist experience are critical.
At 81 North Architecture, we specialise in planning-led, heritage-sensitive conversions that protect character while unlocking real-world value.
Thinking About Converting a Listed Building?
If you’re considering the conversion or reuse of a Grade II listed building within a conservation area, early heritage, planning, and technical strategy is critical.
At 81 North Architecture, we don’t just produce drawings. We lead projects from start to finish, using our in-house expertise to guide complex listed building schemes from initial feasibility through listed building consent, planning approval, technical design, and on-site delivery.
For this project, we handled everything from measured survey and heritage assessment, through pre-application advice, planning submissions, and listed building consents, to construction drawings, consultant coordination, building control liaison, interior design, and ongoing on-site support. One team. One clear vision. No handovers.
Considering a Listed Building or Heritage Conversion?
Listed buildings demand experience, patience, and a clear understanding of what matters to conservation and planning officers.
If you’re looking to unlock the potential of a listed building while protecting its character and long-term value, get in touch to discuss how we can help guide your project from concept to completion.