A CONTEMPORARY new home has been proposed for a historic city centre street.

RRA Architects has designed the home to be built on the site of a garage, which sits between two large homes in Cantilupe Street, Hereford- opposite the duck pond.

Oliver Steels, from the Hereford architects, said their client wanted a contemporary design and there has been a lengthy thought process to make sure it is in keeping with the street scene.

Mr Steels said: "The danger of keeping everything very traditional is is can be pastiche.

"Actually, in making something very traditional it looks Disney- very artificial."

He said, for example, when Georgian properties were built they had wonderful proportion and sense of light, which is now lost on modern development.

The new home would keep a garage at the front, which would have two vehicle spaces instead of one, with an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area behind it.

The first floor would accommodate two bedrooms and there would be a living space on the second floor, with a private sheltered terrace.

The design proposes bricks which are already seen in the street and reflects the historic material palette of the area.

The proposed aesthetic has also been directly influenced by a dwelling close by on Nelson Street, which shares the decorative facade of buff and blue black brick stock.

Mr Steels said: "It is the flat roof design which is more unique and more of a contemporary feel. We did that deliberately as the pitched roof design was too big for the street scene."

He said the perforated brick stock will create natural light but also allow privacy, and will create a dappled light appearance.

The street is characterised by detached and semi detached dwellings from the early/mid 19th century.

The wider context is made up of large Victorian brick properties facing the old castle moat, now Castle Pool.

Mr Steels said: "It is one of the more prestigious, nicely preserved streets in Hereford city centre. We knew it would probably get a lot of attention because of the location.

"We have given a lot of thought and consideration to it."

He said it is a sustainable location as it is close to the city centre.

He added: "The Fosse is a lovely old house at the other end of the duck pond which is unique and there wouldn't have been anything else like it in the area at the time."

Planning permission is being sought from Herefordshire Council.