Planning Permission Autumn 2018
We have had a very busy Autumn here at Fowlers, and here are just a few of our most recent planning permission success stories.
New dwelling, Wiltshire
We achieved permission to build two new houses on the grounds of a farm in a small village in eastern Wiltshire. One house will replace existing groom’s accommodation, and the other will be a new barn style house with access and a cartshed. Wiltshire planning policy sets out strict requirements for new housing in designated Small Villages to limit the number coming forward. The site is also in the Conservation Area, as well as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). So we had to demonstrate that the proposal is an infill plot, and generally respectful of the local character.
Wiltshire Council agreed that our design solution was suitably sympathetic to its rural setting. Planning permission was therefore granted.
Replacement house, Oxfordshire
We have recently secured planning permission for a replacement dwelling on an isolated site, south of Banbury in the Cherwell district of Oxfordshire. As the site is not in a settlement, Cherwell has policies resisting replacement dwellings that are not a similar size. The existing building was a 1.5 storey farm house, and our proposal sought a two storey dwelling including a 1.5 storey section to the side.
The aim of the policy is to protect the character of the open countryside. Although the proposed replacement house was larger than the original, the design was such that the side element was largely hidden from view. The increase in height was also not substantial, therefore the Council supported our design and granted planning permission.
Replacement house, Hampshire
Another recent replacement dwelling for which we secured planning planning permission is at a quiet hamlet in the North Wessex Downs AONB. Our clients had a 1960s mass production house on a well proportioned plot. They were looking to create a traditional family home, so we set about designing a replacement house for them.
The exterior of the house is in the style of a traditional brick and flint cottage. Inside, the living areas have both formal spaces, as well as expansive, open plan areas for family living. This combination of a traditional exterior and a contemporary interior is a popular request from many of our clients. It brings the best of both worlds together to create a beautiful home inside and out.
Test Valley planning policy has a threshold of 50% increase in size for replacement dwellings, which our proposal was above. However, our scheme incorporated landscaping and the introduction of a number of replacement trees. The Council considers this to be “a benefit of the scheme”. This avoided the proposal being more visually intrusive than the original house, and the application was duly approved.
See some of our finished new houses in our Portfolio
Extension, change of use, and refurbishment in Marlborough
This is an interesting project in the historic centre of Marlborough to transform two prominent grade II listed buildings. Much of the buildings date from as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries, and are on one of the oldest streets in the town.
One building is an impressive town house, which is being converted into a contemporary hotel/B&B. The other building is a restaurant, which has a large barn to the rear. Our designs include refurbishing the interior of this to create a much larger dining area.
We worked closely with an independent Heritage consultant to make sure our designs would not cause any significant damage to these historical buildings.
In the application process, Wiltshire Council’s Conservation Officer thought that the proposals would cause some harm to the historic significance of the heritage assets. However, we argued that this harm was outweighed by the public benefits of bringing these important buildings into viable use. By refurbishing them, we are helping to secure their future, while making social and economic contributions to the local area.
More of our Listed Building projects in our Portfolio
Get in touch
For more information on Planning Permission, go to the Planning Portal.
