Planning Successes in Wimbledon Village: Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Design
As a small architecture practice based in South West London, we know how important it is to approach projects in conservation areas with care and sensitivity — especially somewhere as historically rich as Wimbledon Village.
Over the past few years, Host Architecture has successfully secured planning permission for several projects within the Wimbledon Village Conservation Area. These include:
Ridgway Mews – a new mental health clinic sensitively inserted behind listed buildings
94 High Street – a commercial refurbishment in a prominent location on the village high street
Ridgway Stables – a carefully crafted stable and office development for a much-loved local institution
In each case, we’ve worked closely with clients, consultants and planning officers to deliver schemes that respond to the heritage setting while still embracing a contemporary design approach.
Working with Context, Not Against It
Wimbledon Village is known for its character — handsome period buildings, narrow lanes, and a strong sense of place. It’s no surprise that the area is tightly protected by conservation policies. But that doesn’t mean new or modern interventions are impossible. The key is understanding what makes the place special — and designing in a way that respects and enhances it.
At Ridgway Mews, we unlocked a complex backland site to create a discreet but high-quality clinical building that now supports essential mental health services for local families. The design treads lightly on its surroundings, with a calm and ordered façade and materials chosen to echo the grain and texture of its neighbours.
At 94 High Street, we brought fresh life to a tired commercial building by improving its layout and updating the rear with a more modern addition — all while ensuring the historic character of the high street frontage was preserved and protected.
With Ridgway Stables, the brief was highly practical but emotionally loaded — this is a much-loved community asset with deep local roots. Our design provides upgraded facilities for the horses and office staff, with simple, robust materials and a clear logic that respects the rhythm of the site while raising the quality of the whole yard.
Getting Planning Right in a Conservation Area
Planning in Wimbledon Village isn’t always straightforward — but with the right strategy and relationships, it’s absolutely possible to gain approval for thoughtful, contemporary design.
At Host Architecture, we:
Engage early and constructively with planning and heritage officers, building trust through clear, honest dialogue and well-presented proposals
Advise when specialist input is worth investing in — whether that’s a planning consultant, heritage expert or arboriculturalist — so that risks are addressed up front, not down the line
Take time to understand each site’s context, constraints and potential
Use high-quality materials and simple, well-proportioned detailing that gives planners confidence
Submit clear and well-illustrated applications that tell the story behind the design
By investing in the process, not just the design, we help give our projects the best possible chance of success, even in complex and sensitive planning contexts.
Looking for an Architect in Wimbledon Village?
If you're thinking about a project in Wimbledon or anywhere in South West London, particularly within a conservation area, we’d love to talk. Whether it's a new extension, a sensitive refurbishment, or something more ambitious, we can guide you through the process with honesty, creativity, and care.
Get in touch to discuss your ideas — or explore more of our Wimbledon projects.
Historic photo of Wimbledon Village High Street