Britannia Public House, Boston

Our approach

RDC worked with the owner of the Britannia Public House to seek a reuse for the building following the decline in its use. Formal pre-application advice was requested from the Local Authority to identify the key issues for what is a Listed Building of distinctive design in a busy area of Boston.

Following positive advice from the Local Authority, RDC secured planning and listed building consent for the conversion of the Public House — a Grade II listed building located in the heart of Boston’s Conservation Area — into three residential apartments.

The scheme responds to both the heritage value and the urban context of the site. Originally a public house with a number of later additions, the building occupies a prominent position on Church Street and is recognised for its architectural and historic significance. Its conversion ensures a sustainable new use, helping to safeguard the building's long-term future.

The proposals involved minimal intervention, retaining as much of the original layout and form as possible while enabling its reuse for residential purposes. The internal layout was carefully considered to protect key features, including the historic entrance and principal windows. Later, unsympathetic 20th-century additions were removed, revealing more of the original building’s form and improving its visual contribution to the Conservation Area.

Each apartment was planned to respect the building’s structure and setting, with layouts that place living spaces to the front — overlooking Church Street — and bedrooms to the rear, benefitting from views across the River Witham. Materials and construction methods were chosen to ensure that any new elements could be reversible and clearly distinguishable from the historic fabric, in line with best practice conservation guidance.

The building lies within Flood Zone 3a, and appropriate mitigation measures were incorporated into the proposals as part of a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment.

Through a carefully considered planning strategy, RDC supported the client in demonstrating how the conversion would enhance and preserve the significance of the listed building while delivering much-needed new homes. To achieve this, an element of collaboration with the Local Authority and its conservation advisor was required, which resulted in some alterations to the original proposals to secure a successful outcome for the owner.

This sensitive conversion gives a listed landmark in central Boston a sustainable new use—preserving its character while securing its future.