Robert Adam Architects have just received planning permission at appeal for a new residential apartment building, in Lindfield, West Sussex, following a local inquiry. Located just off the historic Lindfield High Street in a conservation area, the site is extensive and contains attractive mature gardens. However, the existing building makes no contribution to this setting, and there was an exciting opportunity to create a replacement building that would truly do justice to the site and unlock its potential.

A previous application by another firm was rejected at appeal as it was considered out of keeping with the scale of other buildings in the street and Robert Adam Architects were asked to design a new scheme that would answer the concerns expressed by the inspector. Nigel Anderson, Derek Brentnall and Peter Morse of the practice created a new design for 12 flats on the site, which represents a considered, contemporary reinterpretation of an Edwardian house.

The design consists of a carefully detailed central building, with a projecting wing to the east, designed to give the impression of a later addition. Features such as exposed rafter feet and ironwork canopies give the building its own sense of individuality whilst other elements such as hipped roofs, gables and hung tiles refer to properties in the immediate area and maintain a sense of historic continuity. Projecting porches and recessed seating areas create variety and interest and bay windows that ‘step’ out into the site, make the most of the attractive gardens. The inspector consequently concluded that the scheme would be "...entirely in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.”

The new high quality building is a unique 21st century continuation of the streetscape, which will undoubtedly bring new life and vitality to this sensitive site.