SELF BUILD IN A CONSERVATION AREA, SOUTH CERNEY


MDP successfully supported the new owners of land with planning permission granted for a new dwelling to re-submit plans with some amendments and alterations to the original granted application.

The site in question is in Upper Up on the western side of South Cerney, close to Cirencester in the Cotswolds. The land lies within the grounds of Walnut Tree Farmhouse and forms part of their garden and is in the Conservation Area.

In 2017 a full planning application for a new 3-bedroom home with a footprint of around 85m² was approved by Cotswold District Council.

The site, along with planning approval, was then sold to the clients of MDP. The clients sought to alter the agreed designs and layout of the proposed property to make it more suitable for their lifestyle and were self-builders. MDP led a team to apply for a material amendment to the original application, seeking small changes to the appearance, scale, positioning and internal layout of the approved dwelling.

As the site is situated within the Conservation Area, it was important from the outset that the material amendments still respect its surroundings and the local area, particularly the adjacent Listed Building.
The list below provides some examples of the proposed changes:
  • Chimney height reduction
  • Increase of approximate total floor area from around 1700 sq ft to around 2000 sq ft
  • Addition of Velux window on the North Elevation             
  • Addition of porch to the East Elevation
  • Addition of a single storey garage and woodstore
  • Change of window size to the East Elevation
  • Removal of two windows to the ground floor of the South Elevation and the installation of two sets of French doors
  • Additional dormer to the West Elevation

The alterations, although material, were not considered to be impactful and indeed it was argued that the effect on the surroundings was minimal due to the fact the overall design and visible features of the house were unchanged. The new proposals were argued to make a better use of the site and technically adhere to the principles of the original approved application.

In 2020 the revised application was approved.