Hertford Mill, Hertford

As a significant local employer conducting research, development, and manufacturing from its facilities totalling approximately 10,000m², TCL's Tamworth Road site has become unsuitable for the growing businesses due to several factors:

The site is the last significant commercial use on Tamworth Road, now surrounded by residential properties. Though commercial activities are relatively unrestricted in planning terms, the operation is limited by a ‘good neighbour’ approach to reduce noise and heavy goods traffic, operating only during normal working hours.

The buildings are 50-100+ years old and, despite maintenance, are no longer suitable for modern business needs in terms of accessibility, energy use, and welfare standards. Adjustments in working practices have been necessary, with extreme measures such as using only the lower floors for storage due to a deteriorating and leaking concrete roof.

Regular daily commercial traffic between the Tamworth Road site and Mode Lighting’s other premises at Chelsing House on the Mead Lane Industrial Estate is inefficient and contributes to local traffic.

In parallel with an expansion of their Chelsing House premises, the redevelopment proposal includes 89 new flats, 11 houses, and new office space. Dual aspect wherever possible, the flats include - 4 studio apartments, 38 one-bedroom apartments; 38 two-bedroom apartments, while 11 three- and four-bedroom houses address Tamworth Road

Buildings are set back to respect adjacencies and prevent overlooking. Private amenity spaces are provided to the rear, and the main road is designed as a shared surface with basement parking access at the west of te site and exit at the east.

Gaps between the long north blocks introduce interest and glimpses between buildings. Heights are adjusted to respond to adjacent buildings, and roofs are designed to complement the street scene and reference the former industrial warehouse uses.

The emphasis has been on efficient flat clusters and active street frontages accessed directly from the new cobble shared surface.

The design reflects the site's industrial past with modern detailing. Materials like metal, brick, and cobbles are used, along with black powder-coated galvanized metal for balconies and balustrades. A mix of light, medium, and dark buff brickwork is used to further animate the street scene. Black steel framed windows, doors and balconies provide a focus within the elevations while standing seam zinc roofs provide a sharp finish at roof level.