Mel Morris Conservation

Which IHBC Branch are you based in?

West Midlands

Which county are you based in?

Staffordshire

Describe the work your company carries out

Mel Morris Conservation was established in 2001 and specialises in building conservation and heritage management. We work with a wide range of consultants across the museum/ historic environment sector. Our strength is in managing complex projects and providing an integrated approach to heritage assets; identifying the appropriate skills needed, engaging the best people, and co-ordinating the different roles.

Our services include;

• Statements of Significance & Design & Access Statements
• Justification Statements for listed building consent
• Conservation Area Appraisals & Management Plans
• Conservation Management Plans for Scheduled Sites & Listed Buildings
• Grant bids for HLF & English Heritage initiatives (PSiCA & THI stage 1 & 2)
• Expert witness for appeals & Public Inquiries

Mel Morris was formerly Conservation Team Leader at Nottingham City Council. We work predominantly in the Midlands and North West. For further details, please explore our website - www.melmorrisconservation.co.uk

Give examples of up to three projects you have undertaken

1. Buxton Conservation Areas Character Appraisal, Derbyshire
Local Authority Client: High Peak Borough Council





Buxton was famous originally as a spa, more recently for its opera house, its Georgian architecture and its festivals. Our appraisal encompassed all four conservation areas within Buxton and considered them as a whole. Our over-arching approach to the whole town and its four separate conservation areas enabled an analysis of the complex web of views and landmarks around the town and we developed a series of maps to illustrate these. For this we used our graphic designer, Tyra Till, who specialises in heritage interpretation and educational design. The thoroughness of the appraisal has proved very useful to the local conservation officers in defending a number of recent planning applications at appeal.

Link: www.highpeak.gov.uk/planning/conservation/BuxtonCA_appraisal/


2. Wollaton Hall & Park, Nottingham – Conservation Plan Local Authority
Client: Nottingham City Council





Grade I listed Wollaton Hall, an Elizabethan house designed by Robert Smythson, and a II* registered 500-acre deer park lie within the City of Nottingham. Mel Morris was seconded to prepare the Conservation Plan for Wollaton Hall and Park, whilst employed by Nottingham City Council. This highly complex site also contains 3 grade II* and 27 grade II listed buildings, as well as 2 registered museums. After completing the Plan in 2002, the practice continued to provide the conservation consultant role as part of the team developing the successful HLF bid which led to a £9 million scheme, the first phase of which was complete in 2007. The restoration project was Commended in the 2009 National RICS Building Conservation Awards

Link: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1037

3. Caverswall Castle, Staffordshire
Private client






With all projects we take an "informed conservation" approach. In 2009 Mel Morris carried out research on both house and garden and prepared an Inventory, a Statement of Significance and a Sensitivity Analysis of the grade I listed Caverswall Castle, a Jacobean prospect house and moated site designed in 1615-20 by the Smythson family of architects. Mel worked with the Planning Consultant JWPC Ltd. and engaged a conservation architect, structural engineer and object conservator to address the complex issues. Mel is providing on-going advice during 2010 to the owner and acting as expert witness for the Public Inquiry into the use of the building for wedding functions.

HESPR 'Designated Service Adviser'

Name: Mel Morris Dip.Arch Cons. IHBC, MRTPI

Job title: Conservation Consultant

Tel:  01538 266516

Email:  mel@melmorris.co.uk

Which of the following roles do you consider your company carries out under the HESPR scheme?

Historic Building conservation YES

Conservation planning YES

Architectural design and new build in historic areas  

Historical research YES

Historic area assessments YES

Project Management  YES

Archaeology YES

Other  
Historic Gardens, Parks & Landscapes research & analysis & appraisals