Case Study : Contemporary New Dwelling

BRIEF

Our client wanted to build a contemporary single dwelling within the residential curtilage of a Grade II Listed farmstead.

KEY ISSUES

Homeowner; Appraisal and Strategy; Planning Application; Listed Building; Specialist Reports; West Midlands.

LPA

Wychavon District Council

CHALLENGES

The site presented a number of key constraints in addition to its close proximity to a Grade II Listed building. These included:

  • its location outside of the settlement boundary;
  • in a conservation area; and
  • in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

SOLUTION

The site required a thorough planning approach and careful negotiation. We identified that Wychavon District Council could not demonstrate a 5 year land housing supply and that the proposed scheme, given its proximity to the village centre, was an inherently sustainable development. In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2012), we justified how and why the principle of development was sound.

The remaining hurdles were overcoming design issues. We worked closely with the architects at Buchanan Partnership who proposed a contemporary take on the local vernacular architecture which, after proactive engagement and discussions, was supported by the planning case officer and conservation officer.

The scheme was recommended for approval and supported by councillors at the Wychavon District Council Planning Committee.