We’re pleased to have just received notification of approval of this small barn conversion project from Lewes District Council.

The barn sits alongside another project of ours in rural East Sussex, which was completed as a holiday let in 2011 and has been popular with visitors ever since.

Supported by our planning consultants, we have leveraged Part Q of the General Permitted Development Order to secure Prior Approval for the conversion work to form a dwelling.  In order to comply, Dwell has designed a scheme which creates habitable living spaces without requiring structural alteration to the existing building.  Lightweight slate roofing replaces existing corrugated sheeting, and openings within the building have been designed to avoid structural strengthening, ensuring compliance whilst creating great living spaces.

The proposal provides two double bedrooms, a bathroom, and open-plan kitchen and living space, all benefitting from the countryside views.  We’re looking forward to starting on the next phase of work!

Changes in planning legislation this month are touted to simplify the process of extending homes, and is a move likely to be welcomed by homeowners and growing families alike, across the UK.

Under The Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development, Advertisement and Compensation Amendments) (England) Regulations 2019 enacted this month, Regulation 4 makes permanent the existing temporary right to enlarge a detached dwellinghouse by up to 8 metres, or by 6 metres in the case of a semi-detached dwellinghouse.  This was previously permitted by Class A of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order, but in order to comply, works had to be completed by 30th May 2019.  The 2019 regulation removes this limiting date, offering greater flexibility to applicants.

Kit Malthouse, the Government Housing minister said that the new legislation will help families extend their properties without battling through ’time-consuming red tape’.  ’By making this permitted development right permanent, it will mean families can grow without being forced to move,’ he said.

Dwell has previously used the Larger Home Extension permitted development rights to best effect in overcoming a troublesome planning refusal by Wealden District Council.  The Council considered that the contemporary extension proposed was an inappropriate addition to the property.  Rather than appealing the decision and waiting the 12 months that the appeal process can take, by tweaking the design and submitting for Prior Approval instead of householder planning consent, Dwell gained permission from the Council for the modern scheme below.

To benefit from the Larger Home Extension legislation, an application for Prior Approval will still need to be made to the Local Planning Authority.  Contact us to find out more.

Dwell’s recent planning objection helps prevent inappropriate residential development in Balcombe, West Sussex.

Appointed by neighbouring residents to represent their interests, Dwell prepared and submitted a written representation to the Local Authority on their behalf, detailing pertinent issues which, in Dwell’s opinion, were contrary to MSDC’s planning policy, and which if implemented would be harmful to the locality.

Using its detailed knowledge of the planning system, and current policy, the practice identified issues with the proposal and application materials which included failing to show the neighbouring buildings accurately, which is key for case officer’s to be able to accurately assess potential impact of development.

Streetscene elevation drawing prepared for planning objection

The proposal, which was to replace a dilapidated bungalow with a large two-storey ‘cottage-style’ house, included new windows at first floor level which would directly overlook the immediate neighbour’s garden, and allow close-range views directly into their home, having a considerable and detrimental impact on their privacy, which policy exists to protect.  To support the objection, Dwell’s team drew a streetscene elevation drawing, using accurate topographic site survey information prepared in-house, together with the application drawings to illustrate how the proposed tall two-storey dwellinghouse would dwarf both the bungalow it was to replace and the existing neighbouring low-rise buildings. 

Dwell’s representation, with that of other neighbours and the Parish Council, led the applicant to withdraw the proposal after the concerns were formalised by the Local Authority planning case officer, and she advised that she would be unable to support the application.

This week saw consent granted by Mid Sussex District Council for a controversial front extension to a dwelling in Balcombe, West Sussex.

The scheme, a two-storey extension to the front of the property, comprises enlarged bedroom accommodation at first floor level set above a new study and entrance hall with cloakroom beneath, all designed in a style sympathetic to the mid-Century home.  The site slopes extensively, and although there is more available space to build at the side of the property, Dwell considered that the additional costs of excavation and retaining wall structure required to extend in this area would be prohibitive. 

Extending forward of the front elevation of houses towards a highway is specifically excluded from permitted development rights, and typically restricted by planning policy. Early pre-application advice from the Council confirmed their anticipated resistance to this approach, the Council favouring a more conventional side extension solution.  However, with the benefit of on-site negotiation with the planning officer, Dwell’s principal architect set out the merits of the scheme in both economic and urban design terms, resulting in a u-turn in the officer’s opinion, and successful outcome of the subsequent planning application.

Work now begins on preparing the detailed drawing package for construction and tender, with building work anticipated to commence in the Spring, following a competitive tender process to select a suitable builder.

The Dwell team enjoyed a great afternoon celebrating the best in local heritage architecture and traditional construction crafts at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2018 at Pangdean Barn, Pyecombe.

2018 was a record-breaking year for the Trust, both in terms of the volume of project submissions and attendance at the Awards lunch.  We’re delighted that the judges enjoyed visiting our scheme at Pegden Hall, granting it Highly Commended status in perhaps the most hotly-contended ‘Small Scale Residential’ category, amongst tough competition!  The judges commented that:

“This modern hall house has been constructed over the last 5 years, a labour of love.  Timber frame made on site using own saw mill.  A highly sustainable dwelling which minimises energy use.”

Nick Cain, the lead oak framing craftsman on the project, was recognised by the judges too for his efforts in conceiving, manufacturing and erecting the huge oak frame, which was a truly-mammoth task!

With award season now seemingly upon us, we’re delighted to share our nomination for The Meadows in the Residential Extensions and Small Works category of the 2018 Mid Sussex Design Awards. 

Held once every three years, the awards acknowledge the important role that high quality design plays in enhancing the distinctive character of Mid Sussex and recognises the challenges faced by designers of the built environment. It also seeks to encourage those committed to contributing local solutions of a high standard.

Taking what might be considered for some a routine project brief, but refusing to be constrained by traditional design solutions, Dwell responded to the challenge in its established creative style, forming a space which is a welcome contrast to the restrained early-Edwardian home.

The Meadows is one of a pair of period semi-detached houses located between Ardingly and Turners Hill. Recently purchased at the time by our clients, and with their sights set on growing their family, they soon became aware of the property’s spatial shortcomings.

The scheme sought to add an enlarged kitchen and dining space to the period home, and at the same time combine a disparate outdoor utility room, add a ground floor cloakroom, and replace an unsympathetic flat-roofed garage with a garage and workshop.

The steep site and obstructive high stepped access into the garden were overcome to best effect, providing both generous internal volume within the new kitchen and dining area, and splitting the level difference to more child-friendly dimensions. Avoiding bi-folding doors, and wishing to make the best of the elevated outlook onto the terraced rear garden, an oak colonnade houses aluminium-framed fixed glazing and conventional doors, allowing a corner free of structure, whilst framing the views into the garden and Sussex countryside beyond.

Diligent design choices such as incorporating an existing outbuilding wholesale, and re-using existing structural openings helped stretch the project budget, although the saddle rooflight originally proposed unfortunately became a casualty of budget constraints. Natural ventilation and ample daylight are instead provided by flush frameless rooflights.

Recently dubbed ‘the ultimate party kitchen’ (for both adults and children apparently!), the result is enjoyed by the family and admired by visitors: perhaps the ultimate seal of approval.