Historic Bridgnorth building to get a modern look
This picture shows how a modern grass-roofed cafe will look on the back of a town house dating back to the 16th century.
The turf-roofed extension to Bishop Percy's House in Bridgnorth will give customers and visitors the chance to look out across the the River Severn running through the town.
It will contrast greatly with the remainder of the house on Cartway, which is a black and white building and one of the few to survive the town's great fire of 1646.
The project will also include converting parts of the cellar, first and second floor and adjoining cottage into four holiday let cottages.
Bishop Percy House was bought by a developer in 2013 and the plans have been drawn up since then.
The modern design has been done by Bridgnorth-based architects Johnson Design Partnership, who have worked with both Shropshire Council and English Heritage on the plans.
Vic Johnson, from the company, said: "Because it is a Grade I listed building, which is the highest listing you can get, we have worked with conservation officers from English Heritage who say any extensions to a building of this kind have to have significant architectural merit."
Mr Johnson said features of the building had been chosen to reflect the history of Bridgnorth through the ages.
The new building has a steel frame, a modern update on the timber frame that holds together Bishop Percy's House.
Specific materials have been chosen to reflect the industrial nature of the area and the history of Bridgnorth.
Mr Johnson said: "Across the river, opposite the building, used to be the Trevithick metal works so we've referenced that in using the bronze cladding for the window frames that will look over the river.
"The turfed roof is just because there is a pub above it which has no garden and it's very steep so there would be no room for a garden. So it is just grabbing what we can – it won't be walked on. There is a lot of reason behind it."
Work on the building was carried out by architect Matt Spinks from Johnson Design Partnership in what he described as a "painstaking project".
The main building has also undergone a lot of stabilisation works since plans were initially approved two years ago.
The house, once home to George III's royal chaplain, was bought for £275,000 by property developer Maria Allen.
