This project entailed the demolition of the existing Storrington Squash court buildings, due to a decline in the uptake of the sport and therefore use of the facilities, the building has been closed now for a few years.
It was not realistically possible to convert the existing building structure to accommodate residential dwellings, due to its form, structure and materials, so demolition has been proposed and to replace it with a purpose-built new residential building.
Following extensive and constructive dialogue with Horsham’s District Council Planning & Conservation Officers, we arrived at a design that was sympathetic to its sensitive location, within this historic part of the village and adjacent to the Storrington Conservation Area.
The existing building presents large expanses of blank brick walls and a low-pitched roof – having the appearance of an insensitively placed school sports hall positioned without any thought for its impact on the beautiful historic buildings around it. Whereas the new proposal with its more interesting and varied roofline, carefully positioned window openings and richness of facing materials selected from within the Conservation Area, is much more sympathetic to its sensitive setting.
The proposal is for the construction of 8 No residential units (6No 2-bed, 1No 1-bed and 1No 3-bed) along with 14 parking spaces, private outdoor amenity space and landscaping.