Ready to start your project in Lichfield? Book a free consultation — call 01527 313746 or email hello@jsa.design.
JSA Architects' Lichfield studio serves the cathedral city and surrounding Staffordshire villages. We specialise in the kind of architecture that Lichfield demands — heritage properties, listed buildings, barn conversions, and residential projects in conservation areas where getting the design right isn't optional.
Lichfield is one of the most architecturally sensitive cities in the Midlands. Between the Cathedral Close, the city's medieval street plan, and the rural conservation areas across the district, planning here requires an architect who genuinely understands what Lichfield District Council expects. That's been our practice for over twenty years.
Architecture Services in Lichfield
From our Lichfield studio, we offer a complete architectural service — concept design through to construction. Every project begins with a free site visit and consultation.
Listed Building Expertise
Lichfield has a high concentration of listed buildings — from the Cathedral Close and Dam Street to the rural farmhouses and estate buildings scattered across the district. We've spent two decades working on listed properties of all grades, preparing Heritage Impact Assessments, and securing listed building consent for sensitive alterations, extensions and conversions. We know what English Heritage and the council's conservation officers need to see.
Barn Conversions
Staffordshire has some of the finest agricultural buildings in the Midlands. Converting a barn into a home requires specialist knowledge — understanding the structural limitations of timber-framed and brick buildings, preserving the character that makes them special, and navigating planning policies that can be restrictive. We've converted barns across the district, from simple cart sheds to substantial threshing barns.
Conservation Area Work
Lichfield District has multiple conservation areas, each with its own character and sensitivities. The Cathedral Close area has the strictest controls — Article 4 directions remove many permitted development rights. Our experience means we understand which alterations require consent, which design approaches the council supports, and how to present applications that demonstrate sensitivity to context.
Residential Extensions
Even standard residential extensions in Lichfield require careful design. Many properties sit within or adjacent to conservation areas, and the district's planning policies emphasise design quality and respect for local character. We design extensions that respond to the specific context of your property — materials, proportions, roof pitches, and detailing that complement rather than compromise.
New Build Homes
We design new homes across the Lichfield district, from contemporary properties on individual plots to small residential developments. Our approach balances modern design ambitions with the planning realities of building in a historically sensitive district — we know where to be bold and where to show restraint.
Sustainable Design
Upgrading the energy performance of period properties is one of the biggest challenges in heritage architecture. We help Lichfield homeowners improve thermal performance without damaging historic fabric — breathable insulation, secondary glazing, and efficient heating systems that work with, not against, traditional building materials.
How We Work
01. Free Consultation
We visit your property, discuss your brief, and give you clear advice — including Green Belt calculations, conservation area constraints, and realistic budget expectations.
02. Concept Design
We develop design options with floor plans, elevations and 3D visualisations. For Green Belt projects, we include a clear analysis of your proportionate additions allowance. Or for heritage projects, we assess the visual impact of the options to help decision-makers make the right calls. You see exactly what we're proposing before committing to detailed design.
03. Planinng & Approvals
We prepare and submit your application to Birmingham City Council, handling all technical drawings, planning statements, design and access statements, and any heritage or Green Belt justifications required.
04. Construction
We produce detailed construction drawings and specifications. We can manage the build on your behalf — coordinating contractors, handling site inspections, and ensuring quality from foundation to completion.
Areas We Cover Near Lichfield
From our Lichfield studio, we serve clients across Staffordshire and surrounding areas. We work in Whittington, Alweras, Shenstone, Brentwood, Fazeley, Armitage, Kings Bromley, Fradley, Stonewall, Wall, Hammerwich, Hopwas and Elford.
Ready to start your project in Sutton Coldfield? Book a free consultation — call 0121 663 6084 or email hello@jsa.design.
Why Choose JSA in Sutton Coldfield
What sets us apart from other practices in the Sutton Coldfield area.
97% Planning Approval Rate
Two decades of experience with Lichfield District City Council means applications that get approved.
RIBA Chartered Practice
Professional accountability, mandatory insurance, and adherence to the RIBA Code of Conduct.
Heritage Specialists
Twenty years of listed building, conservation area and barn conversion experience.
Local Knowledge
Deep understanding of Lichfield's conservation areas, Article 4 directions, and council policies.
In-House 3D Visualisation
See your project in photorealistic detail before committing — invaluable for planning and your own confidence.
Free initial Consultation
No obligation — honest advice about your project, planning constraints, and realistic next steps.
What Our Clients Say
Real feedback from homeowners and developers we've worked with across Lichfield.
"We were really happy with our extension and renovation project, and a big part of that was working with Chris from JSA. He's great to work with — he took our ideas, ran with them, and properly 'architectified' them into something even better than we'd imagined. The whole process felt collaborative and straightforward."
Brendan Stacey
Extension & Renovation — Lichfield
Areas We Cover Near Lichfield
Whittington
Alrewas
Shenstone
Burntwood
Fazeley
Armitage
Kings Bromley
Fradley
Stonnall
Wall
Hammerwich
Hopwas
Elford
We also serve: Architects in Derby · Architects in Nottingham · Architects in Solihull
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need listed building consent for alterations in Lichfield?
If your property is listed (Grade I, II* or II), any works that affect its character or appearance — internal or external — require listed building consent from Lichfield District Council. This includes changes you might not expect, like replacing windows, removing internal walls, or even re-plastering. We prepare thorough Heritage Impact Assessments that demonstrate understanding of your building's significance and justify the proposed works.
How much does a barn conversion cost in Staffordshire?
Build costs for barn conversions typically range from £1,800–£2,800 per square metre, depending on the building's condition, structural requirements, and specification. A typical three-bedroom barn conversion might cost £350,000–£550,000 in total build cost. Our architectural fees are usually 10–15% for barn conversions due to the additional heritage and structural complexity involved.
What are Article 4 directions in Lichfield?
Article 4 directions remove certain permitted development rights in specific areas. In Lichfield, these apply to parts of the city centre and the Cathedral Close area, meaning works that would normally be permitted — like replacing windows, building a porch, or adding a satellite dish — require full planning permission instead. We can advise whether your property is affected and what permissions you need.
How long does planning take with Lichfield District Council?
Standard householder applications take 8 weeks. Listed building consent applications take 8–13 weeks depending on complexity. Conservation area consent applications follow a similar timeline. We prepare applications to avoid delays — a complete, well-presented submission with a thorough heritage statement significantly reduces the risk of information requests or refusal.
Can you help with Passivhaus or energy-efficient design in a listed building?
Yes, but it requires careful balance. Listed building consent limits what you can change, so we focus on improvements that don't damage historic fabric — breathable internal insulation, secondary glazing (not replacement windows), efficient heating systems, and improved airtightness where it won't cause moisture problems. We designed the East Midlands' first Passivhaus and apply those principles pragmatically to heritage projects.
Ready To Talk?
How it works (Because "get in touch" shouldn't feel like a leap of faith)
01. Talk One conversation to understand your project, your budget, and whether we're the right fit. No obligation. No sales pitch.
02. Design Everything built around your brief. We sketch, develop, and refine — with check-ins before anything is fixed. You stay in control without getting buried in the detail.
03. Deliver Through planning, building regs, and into construction. We handle the process. You make the decisions that matter.
