Historic Conversions Case Studies

Case Study 1: St James Court, Alnwick

Isos redeveloped the historic St James Church Hall on Pottergate in Alnwick into nine apartments, providing much-needed affordable housing for rent in the centre of Alnwick, as well as enabling the church itself to be refurbished and used by the community.

The scheme - completed for just £932,000 - was commended for "effective joint working" by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the UK's top planning body. The RTPI said the building had been well converted, maintaining the hall's traditional features, including original stained-glass windows. The Isos team worked alongside no less than eight different partners and contractors.

The hall is a stone-built building set within the grounds of a grade II listed church - all standing within a conservation area.

Michael Farr of Isos said: "This award recognises the skill and attention to detail demonstrated by the Isos design team, and how closely they have worked with the officers at the former Alnwick District Council to convert this beautiful, historic building into apartments.
"I'm especially proud that Isos has won an RTPI award for the second year in succession. After being recognised for our new-build work at Cleadon Park in South Tyneside last year, the team has now shown great versatility by preserving a piece of Northumberland's past."

The RTPI judges said they were impressed by how much the residents loved their apartments, which combine the retention of historic features with the provision of all modern amenities.

The full team behind the scheme included officers from the former Alnwick District Council, St James Church, Northumberland-based developer Countylife, architects Banyard Design, employers agent Elliott Associates, CDM coordinator Elliott Holmes Johnson, structural engineers 3E Consulting Engineers and principal contractor DP Builders.