Approval granted for ‘exceptional’ property
A construction duo have secured planning permission for a new home in the open countryside in Rutland.
Grace Machin Planning & Property, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, and Jonathan Hendry Architects, all based in the East Midlands, worked together to navigate planning policies and secure approval for the project.
Situated near the hamlet of Exton in Rutland, the property will be a cylindrical six-bedroom home with contemporary living space across the ground and lower ground floors.
This type of development, known as an ‘Exceptional Paragraph 84 new house’ in the planning industry, must meet specific requirements outlined in Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Nick Grace, partner at Grace Machin Planning & Property, said: “We were approached by the landowner for a due diligence exercise. As a new house in the open countryside and the adjoining land being agricultural, the short to long-term development potential was extremely limited. However, the landholding presented itself as a potential site to accommodate a new single dwelling of ‘outstanding design’.
“Bringing Jonathan Hendry Architects and Influence on the project ensured I had the best possible expertise on what was a very detailed application. We were able to deliver an exceptional planning application that received the support of the officer and ultimately councillors at Rutland’s Planning Committee Meeting, who gave their unanimous support for the application. The resulting grant of planning permission for the client is a major result for us and a testament to those skills.”
Sara Boland, managing director at Influence, said: “We conducted the landscape impact assessment for the proposed property. The location is deeply historic with two registered parks and gardens and many listed assets. In addition, it’s a very rural location with the Viking Way passing close by.
“The team and I are proud to have worked with Nick and Jonathan, using our specialist, collective skills to bring to fruition a remarkable home, which will sit sympathetically in its rural landscape.”
Jonathan Hendry, managing director at Jonathan Hendry Architects, said: “The building form was derived from observations and studies of the dovecote, commonplace amongst the Rutland landscape. The proposal, a singular, cylindrical form of robust stone walls is wrapped by a tertiary element which cuts into the ground and connects the garden to the main entrance of the house.
“Materially the building is rooted within its context, to be constructed with local stone and oak. The facade being graduated from the lower ground level to be built of limestone rubble as though it had been found in the ground to the upper levels, formed of smooth ashlar blocks laid on a bed of lime mortar.
“The proposals embody environmental technologies, sustainable materials and construction methods to minimise the environmental impact and go beyond the specification of ‘sustainable products’ to deliver a fabric first dwelling, which provides the users with a comfortable and sustainable environment in which to live.”
