Plas Alltran

Our Role

BTP provided architectural and conservation services from technical design through to completion, leading the multidisciplinary team and administering the construction contract. 

We reviewed the existing research, surveys and consents, prepared detailed repair schedules and specifications, and recorded surviving historic features. Our review also led to the omission of a proposed extension that detracted from the building’s character without adding usable internal space. 

Working closely with conservation officers and specialist contractor Recclesia, we guided repairs on site, responding to discoveries as the building was opened up and balancing conservation priorities with practical construction decisions.

Design Development

Extensive decay, fire damage and pigeon infestation made the building difficult to survey and left much of its fabric in a fragile condition. Early scaffolding allowed closer inspection, helping establish what could be repaired and where replacement was unavoidable. 

External works included masonry and render repairs, stabilisation of the parapets, slate roof repairs and reinstatement of traditional rainwater goods. Historic windows were repaired where possible, with carefully matched replacements where deterioration was beyond repair. 

Inside, surviving skirtings, architraves, cornices and other decorative features were recorded to guide repairs and accurate reproduction. More elaborate detailing was retained in the principal rooms, with simpler finishes in former service areas and attic spaces, respecting the original hierarchy of the interiors. 

Although much of the staircase required reconstruction, original newel posts, balustrades, handrails and strings were retained, alongside the historic lath-and-plaster staircase wall. New timber sections followed the surviving details. 

Improving energy performance within the compact listed building required a sensitive approach. A breathable, 40mm insulating lime plaster was selected to improve thermal performance while limiting the loss of floor space and protecting historic features. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery provided fresh air while reducing heat loss. 

Outcomes

Plas Alltran has been brought back into use as four supported-living homes, combining restored historic interiors with the comfort and services needed for modern residential use. 

The work has recovered the building’s distinctive architectural presence near Holyhead’s port and secured a viable future for a long-neglected landmark. Plas Alltran has also been removed from the Buildings at Risk Register, safeguarding an important local heritage asset for future generations.