A remodel or replace conundrum
Project Background
It is quite common for clients to start their home building project with the imponderable question of whether to remodel an existing house or knock it down and replace it. In this case we carried out an initial piece of work, taking the client’s brief, understanding the site and the planning parameters and assessing the two options for them.
The resulting report enables the client to evaluate the extent to which each option will deliver against their brief, how it sits against their available budget and what each will do for the ultimate value of the property.
Given they are living in Bedfordshire and the site being in Wiltshire, they also wanted a company who could work with them from the outset right the way through to completion.
The House
This is one of those projects where the site can be used to add to the interest and character of the design. It is elevated which provides opportunities to maximise the views. It slopes, which whilst adding cost can also be used to add interest and character.
The house will be a long-term family home and as such the clients are keen to ensure it fully encompasses their brief. It needs to have wow factor, have an area that will be the hub of family life and provide for relaxation and exercise.
A stunning oak framed glazed entrance hall gives access via stairs to the upper ground living area. Here, the large open plan kitchen, living and dining area will be the hub of family life with direct level access via glazed doors to the back garden.
Also, on the upper ground floor are two bedrooms, both with ensuite, a snug and utility room.
The lower ground floor accommodates two further bedrooms, both with walk in robe areas and ensuites, a cinema room and gym and an integrated double garage.
Externally the house will be built from the local stone with some horizontal timber cladding to break up the elevations.
Progress
From a planning perspective the site presented some challenges. The existing house had been extended over it’s lifetime which meant the planners were likely to be resistant to further increases in size. Fortunately, the plot came with planning permission to build an additional bungalow on a site in the garden.
We were able to make a case for a further increase on the size of the existing house and forgo the permission to develop the garden plot.
Because of the sensitivity of the site we opted to go through a pre planning application process. This enables us, in most cases, to enter in to a dialog with the planning officer and iron out any concerns they have before submitting a full planning application.
The planning application has now been submitted and we expect a decision within a few weeks.