Architects in Oldbury: Church Square listed building conversion

Looking for architects in Oldbury for a listed building conversion? Lapworth Architects have been appointed to guide the sensitive conversion of a Grade II listed former bank at Church Square, retaining the historic civic frontage while adapting the rear and interior for a high-quality residential HMO supported by a conservation-led heritage approach.

Lapworth Architects have been appointed to guide the sensitive conversion of a Grade II listed former bank at Church Square in Oldbury. The building occupies a prominent position overlooking the civic junction, where its classical front façade forms one of the key heritage markers in the town centre. The brief is to retain the significance of the historic frontage while preparing the building for new residential use as a high-quality HMO, meeting local housing need and securing the long-term future of the listed structure.

Project at a glance

• Location: Church Square, Oldbury

• Building type: Grade II listed former bank

• Use proposed: residential HMO

• Design priority: retain the civic frontage and significant heritage fabric

• Approach: conservation-led adaptation focused on areas of lower significance

Significance and conservation approach

The Design and Heritage Planning Statement identifies the architectural value of the principal elevation, original stone detailing and the surviving structural form facing the square. Rear elements and internal areas have been altered over time and are generally of lower significance, allowing careful adaptation to meet modern living standards.

Our scheme keeps the listed street frontage intact. The conservation approach respects the classical order, window proportions and masonry detailing that define the building’s contribution to Church Square.

Internal reorganisation and residential standards

Internal reorganisation focuses on upgrading circulation, improving natural light and creating rooms that meet current amenity expectations, without compromising the historic elements recorded in the heritage assessment. Where change is required, it is directed toward areas of lower significance so the building’s hierarchy remains legible.

Site context and how change is directed

The site context is defined by its civic setting, neighbouring commercial properties and the established street pattern around Church Square. Key moves follow the building’s existing hierarchy by keeping the public frontage as the dominant element and concentrating new accommodation to the rear, where alterations can be absorbed without affecting the character of the square.

External works are limited to what is appropriate for a listed building in this setting and follow the guidance set out in the heritage statement and relevant local conservation policies.

Planning and listed building coordination

Planning and heritage coordination are managed through a clear, record-based workflow. We prepare the listed building information, track revisions precisely and present council-ready drawings through our digital processes, including UK Planning Gateway. This helps ensure submissions remain consistent, transparent and easy to review for sensitive heritage projects.

Architects in Oldbury and listed building architects in Birmingham

For homeowners and developers searching for architects in Oldbury or listed building architects in Birmingham, this commission shows how we balance heritage, planning and contemporary residential requirements. From civic buildings in Oldbury to residential work across Edgbaston and Solihull, our practice delivers context-led schemes with a clear architectural rationale.

FAQs

Can a Grade II listed building be converted into an HMO?
Yes. A Grade II listed building can be adapted for HMO use where the design is conservation-led, significance is clearly understood, and change is directed to areas that can accommodate it without harming the building’s special interest.

What is being retained at Church Square?
The principal street frontage and its classical composition are retained, including key stone detailing, window proportions and masonry character identified as significant in the heritage assessment.

Where are alterations focused, and why?
Alterations are concentrated to the rear and internal areas that have been altered over time and are of lower significance, allowing the building to meet modern standards while protecting the civic-facing heritage fabric.

How are modern residential standards achieved in a listed building?
By reorganising circulation, improving natural light and designing rooms to meet current amenity expectations, while protecting the historic elements identified as significant.

How do you manage listed building consent and planning coordination?
Through a record-based process that keeps design decisions and heritage justifications clear, supported by council-ready drawings and controlled document versioning throughout the submission stages.

What role does UK Planning Gateway play in the submission?
It supports version control, consistent document naming and coordinated uploads, helping maintain a clear audit trail as proposals evolve and reducing avoidable confusion during review.