Overcoming a plot’s challenging planning history
Plots can come with a planning history that requires sensitive handling and an innovative approach.
Project Background
Our client came to us having bought a site with such a history. The former site owners had made two unsuccessful planning applications for a number of houses on the site, first for seven houses and then five. The plot was next to a Grade II listed cottage, previously part of the village pub. Another challenge was to secure the status of the plot as separate to the cottage and not within its curtilage as both had previously been in the same ownership.
Once the site’s status as a stand-alone plot had been established to the planning department’s satisfaction, we were able to focus on designing a home that met the clients’ brief and worked in the sensitive location.
The House
The clients wanted a contemporary five bedroom home for their young family. It was important the plans not only met their needs but took into account the nearby listed cottage. Our design created a low level home built around a courtyard with a tree in the centre. An innovative approach was to create accommodation in the roof space utilising every part of the house to make it as cost effective as possible. Glazed gables flood the home with light and an attractive feature are the in touch balconies that sit flush with the building bringing the outside into the house.
Architect Josh Wood said: “The steep pitch and overhanging eaves were inspired by the thatched roof of the neighbouring listed building. Whilst this helps to harmonise the design with the vernacular and site, it also enables maximum useful space on the upper floors using minimal resources.
“It enabled an off-the-shelf attic truss to be used helping to reduce costs. The result is a building with its own character, a great sense of space and a palette of high quality materials which were made possible by saving money on the structure.”
Progress
The project has now been granted detailed planning permission, the first scheme to be successful on the site. When giving permission, the planning department commented positively on the design and the care that had been taken to ensure the new home complemented the neighbouring listed cottage.