Lloyds High Street, Billericay
A Project By: T2S Architecture
We are working on, and have completed, numerous developments along the bustling and traditional High Street in Billericay, Essex. Our client approached us to inherent a basic concept design to remodel, refurbish and extend the existing building at No. 89 which was a High Street Bank with associated spaces on basement, ground and first floor.
The building is not listed, but it is close to numerous listed buildings, and it sits with the High Street Conservation area. Whilst is does not have a listing, the building does have clear historic character. All this suggested to us that the proposed extensions would need to be designed in a way that they respected this character.
Pre-application advice was sought for a development of 7 properties but T2S were able to increase the commercial potential by increasing the number of units and increasing NIA. In the end, T2S were able to achieve consent for 9 residential units and an increase of 20% NIA when compared to the previous design.
A first-floor extension, and second floor roof infill, were proposed and remain largely invisible from the High Street. What is interesting about the urban grain, is that the frontages are broken up with small alleys and roads creating a charming and quant environment. In this instance, a glimpse is allowed from Rose Lane, a private street, to the extensions in keeping with this charm.
In addition, a pair of semi-detached dwellings were proposed further to the Northwest of the site – furthest away from the High Street. They will enjoy access from Rose Land, with high quality landscaping providing a beautiful setting.
Architecturally we needed to balance the strong character of the area with providing something which is modern and honest to the period in which it is built. The extension of the existing building is to be dark painted timber weather boarding, so we decided to use the same material painted white. This felt true to the material palette but offered something fresh and distinctive.
Dark window and bay stylings were used to add to this distinctive design delineated itself against the existing structure.
Consent was granted in June 2024 – with works starting straight away and completed in late 2025.
