Description: Helmsley in North Yorkshire is an attractive market town on the edge of the North York Moors.
The Feversham Arms occupies a prominent position on the corner of Helmsley’s high street within the centre of the conservation area.  To the south of the site is the Grade II Listed Parish Church and Grade II* Listed Canons Garth Vicarage.

Issue: This privately funded development comprised an expansion of the Feversham Arms Hotel to form a new entrance area, underground car park, fitness suite, dwellings and associated landscaping.  The contemporary design for this extension by Malton-based lead architects Bramhall Blenkarn required careful consideration of its potential impact on the market town streetscape.  English Heritage worked closely with the developer to ensure that the traditional features of the site were protected and enhanced, whilst also incorporating more contemporary elements.

Strategy:

In designing the scheme, the applicants have made use of significant land level changes so as to limit the overall height of the development and its impact on surrounding residences.  Malton-based archaeologists were commissioned to mitigate the archaeological impacts of this work, which uncovered fascinating evidence of earlier medieval structures.

A traditional design approach has been adopted for the new buildings, which have traditional window and roof detailing and use building materials (stone and pantile) that reflect the local vernacular.  This high quality pastiche is complemented by large areas of glazing, which gives a more contemporary feel as well as maximising opportunities for natural day light. 

Outcome: The resulting effect is an interesting juxtaposition of traditional and modern.  It is hoped that the development will benefit the local visitor economy, through the provision of enhanced facilities that will attract overnight visitors to the area.  Demonstrates that sensitive small towns can change without damage and that good quality contemporary design can be beneficial.