Appeal allowed for extension and carport in Ashbourne

PDP_Ashbourne Car Port Appeal

Planning and Design have won an appeal for the erection of a single storey extension and detached car port in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. In June 2018 an application was submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council but despite officer support the planning committee refused the application due to an adverse impact on a neighbouring property.

The applicant then contacted Planning and Design who reviewed the application and made a resubmission with some additional information to address the council’s concerns. Unfortunately, the council was unwilling to alter its position and again refused the application. 

At this point we went straight to appeal and an additional topographical survey was undertaken to confirm the position of the carport and its relationship with the neighbour. After reviewing our appeal statement and that of the council the inspector found that “the proposal would not be unacceptably harmful to the occupants of (the neighbouring property) by virtue of overbearing effects or loss of light” and the appeal was allowed. 

The appellant, Mr Ian Stevens, was naturally delighted and made the following comment:

“Planning and Design Practice Ltd’s assistance with our Planning Appeal was invaluable. They were considerate and open in their approach, able to quickly refer us to suitable experts to produce surveys etc and were always willing to explain and involve us in the process where appropriate. Our Appeal was successful and we received a very supportive Appeal Decision. I can confidently recommend their services – thank you!”

PDP secures permission for conversion of historic buildings in Longford

PDP_Wolfenden Barns

Planning & Design have successfully obtained planning permission for the sensitive conversion of a listed Farmstead in Longford, Derbyshire Dales. The farmstead had been a dairy farm up until summer 2018, however the farm was no longer viable and the client wished to consider other practical uses for the listed barns. The client has already successfully converted another building on their land to a holiday let, which is frequently occupied.

The proposed scheme comprises six holiday lets – two in the Grade II brick Cowshed, one in a section of the Grade II* brick Hay Barn and a further three in a modern steel frame barn.

Careful consideration had to be given to the setting of the listed farmstead and the location of parking and given its proximity to public footpaths.

Design details had to be resolved at an early stage, which is common for Listed building applications, as Local Planning Authority Conservation officers are required to approve the details. We ensured that the open feel of the barn was retained by having open plan living/kitchen areas, retaining and replacing the rooflights to the internal roof pitches and keeping the roof trusses exposed.

Changing the use of the barns to holiday lets means that the barns will remain in the same ownership and control as the rest of the listed farmstead. Whilst this is not a mandatory item for planning, it is an aspect that is considered more favourably in planning and listed building consent applications for conversion to dwellings.

As the project was so large, complex and detailed, we negotiated with Derbyshire Dales District Council to resolve planning and design issues before the project was recommended for approval at Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee spoke highly of the scheme and were pleased to see a new use for the redundant barns, commenting how they would like to be invited back to see the finished project. The committee unanimously approved the scheme in November 2018.

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