We are delighted to announce the successful planning approval for a carefully considered residential development within the historic Dodington area of Whitchurch, Shropshire.
The scheme, located on land to the rear of 40–44 Dodington, provides an opportunity to bring an underused and previously developed part of the town back into meaningful use, while respecting the important historic character of the surrounding area.
Planning permission was granted by Shropshire Council on 6 August 2026, with Listed Building Consent subsequently granted for the associated works to the historic site. The approved development comprises the conversion of an existing potting shed into a dwelling, three new terrace townhouses and a detached dwelling, together with new parking, gardens, amenity areas, landscaping and an improved site access.
The site sits within the Whitchurch Conservation Area and forms part of the curtilage associated with Grade II listed buildings at 40 and 42–44 Dodington. The existing buildings are important examples of early nineteenth-century architecture, characterised by traditional red brick construction, stone detailing, slate and tile roofs and carefully proportioned elevations.
This meant that the development could not simply be approached as a conventional residential infill scheme.
The design process instead began with an understanding of the existing buildings, their historic significance, the character of Dodington and the way the site has evolved over time. The principal listed buildings remain physically unaffected by the proposal.
The successful approval of the Dodington scheme is the result of balancing a number of competing considerations: the need for new housing, the character of the Whitchurch Conservation Area, the setting of Grade II listed buildings, the reuse of an existing heritage asset, highway requirements, ecology, landscaping and the amenity of neighbouring properties.
For us, the project demonstrates an important principle of architectural design in that successful development in historic places is not about preventing change, but about ensuring that change is carefully considered, contextually appropriate and capable of adding something positive to the character of the place.
