A MODERN building that will appear as a wafer with a turf roof is the outcome of a major architectural challenge to build a classroom block in the centre of one of the city's most historically sensitive areas.

Against the backdrop of Hereford Cathedral, the single story block of nine classrooms, planned for Hereford Cathedral Junior School, is cleverly camouflaged in its ancient setting.

Crouched low in Castle Street, it will present a glazed face with powder coated aluminium frames to Redcliffe Gardens, replacing the current prefab building.

Above the boundary wall it will look like a wafer with a slice of light glazing, topped with sections of patent, glazed and turf roof.

The architectural feat has won the approval of English Heritage, which believes it would preserve and possibly enhance the character and appearance of the Central Hereford Conservation Area, and was given the thumbs up by Herefordshire Council planners last week. It will now be sent to the Secretary of State for final approval.

Views to the surrounding listed buildings, including the grade II listed Fosse and two Georgian gazebos, will be improved with the removal of the prefab and the restoration of the boundary wall.

General theme

"Officers welcome the use of a modern architecture approach rather than the use of pastiche. This is a principle that has been used to significant visual benefit and effect in other parts of the city's conservation areas. The general theme is to introduce a building style in lightweight materials in direct contrast to the solidity of the more traditional surrounding buildings.

"The scheme as now submitted will ensure that views over the proposed site to the rear of Castle Street will be retained and the stature of the gazebos will also remain dominant," stated planners.

The project, which will also include a library and information technology resource area, staff facilities and loos, overlies a section of Hereford castle's moat and may contain important archaeological deposits.

The county archaeologist has called for further archaeological work to be carried out following a bore hole survey and believes remains of national significance may lie beneath.

The additional classroom space will not mean an increase in pupil numbers and the school has provided a Green Transport Plan, covering most of its buildings including numbers, 28, 29 and 30, Castle Street, which are the subject of the application.