Following the successful outline planning approval for up to 25 dwellings at Belper Road, Ashbourne, our client commissioned us to prepare the Reserved Matters application covering appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. The brief required a high‑quality, contextually responsive residential scheme that adhered to the design principles established at outline stage while delivering a strong sense of place, housing choice, biodiversity enhancements and a clear rural edge. The scheme provides 25 homes including seven affordable dwellings, structured around key character areas and distinct architectural typologies.
For this project the general masterplan principles had already been set out at the outline application with a clear concept in relation to specific character areas, the central access road and separate private driveways. At the reserved matters stage, the task of the Planning and Architectural teams was to bring another level of detail coordinating input from the Landscape Architect, Highways Consultant, Drainage, Ecologist and Tree Consultants. This process aims to balance the technical constraints of these various specialists with the design ethos of creating a high quality and contextual development. Essentially taking a 2D masterplan and working this into the 3D landscape.
Once the updated masterplan was established, the next key step was developing a deeply contextual set of building styles to fit within the site context. The original outline application set out some key design criteria in relation to the specific character areas of the plot; Settlement Fringe, Farmhouse and Barn typologies. At the reserved matters stage our key task was overlaying the client’s design aspirations for the size, style and types of houses for the site with the influence of the character areas. We created several massing typologies to suit each character area, simple gable farmhouses, low-lying barns and more detailed settlement fringe houses – before then adapting these shapes to the unit sizes required – 2 bed, 3 bed, 4 bed and 5 bed. Alongside the massing and form of the buildings we also developed the external materials used, including brickwork and tile roofs, carefully proportioned windows, and considered brick detailing. All of this came together to create a rich and varied set of houses that formed a cohesive street scene and avoided any appearance of repetition.
We worked with a great team to ensure the best possible response to a sloping site to achieve the optimum level of development for both the client and local planning policy constraints. Overall, the scheme presents a strong planning balance, offering significant social, economic and environmental benefits while contributing positively to Ashbourne’s long‑term growth.
For more information, and to arrange a no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please contact us on 01332 347371.