Housing development in the countryside can come with high policy tests and planning hurdles to overcome. Durrants Building Consultancy ‘Concept to Completion’ approach is aimed at delimiting client planning risk in pursuit of planning approval. At every stage; feasibility, design, planning and construction we seek to best address potential issues, where possible protecting clients investment.

In this case the Local Authority approved the application under delegated authority, with acknowledged compliance against Local Planning Policy and citing paragraph 80 of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Officer Delegated Report concludes:

“The proposed development is not considered to result in any significant adverse impact on highways safety, residential amenity, heritage assets, the environment or biodiversity interests to warrant refusal. Recommendation is to grant permission.”

The client was extremely grateful of the Building Consultancy approach and we wish them all the best for the upcoming build.

Get in touch with Durrants Building Consultancy with your agricultural workers dwelling requirements: buildingconsultancy@durrants.com

The challenge with this project was to create a substantial contemporary Annexe extension that would complement and harmonize with the existing 17^th Century Grade 2 listed farmhouse.

Close liaison was required with Heritage as the proposals involved demolition of the existing rear roof and the incorporation of outbuildings into the extension.

In order to resolve the junction between the existing farmhouse and the Annexe a glazed staircase link was designed to provide a clear visual break.

Traditional materials were used for the wall and roof finishes but combined with powder coated windows and doors to create the contemporary look required.

The brief was to totally refurbish and reconfigure the existing house to provide 4 bedrooms at first floor; convert the existing kitchen into a ground floor bedroom and en suite; create an open plan vaulted kitchen and dining room overlooking the new decking area and garden and provide a utility room, pantry and cloakroom.

New Detached House in Southwold with far reaching views replaces Bungalow.

The initial brief was to investigate if the existing timber framed Bungalow could be extended with an additional floor. Once it was ascertained that this was unfeasible we were commissioned to design a new contemporary two storey four bedroom house on the footprint of the existing Bungalow.

The house has been designed with a vaulted first floor living room In order to maximise the far reaching views across Southwold towards the pier and the lighthouse.

In addition to this a spacious open plan kitchen and dining room, which also benefits from the views, has been provided on the ground floor along with a master bedroom and en suite overlooking the garden. The house is due to be completed by Easter 2022.

Durrants successfully negotiated planning consent for an infill development in Hoxne, Suffolk. Set within the grounds of a Grade II listed farm cottage, the development comprises a four bedroom, double storey house with integral double garage.

Planning challenges were significant, notably ensuring the design responded positively to the setting of the listed cottage.

The design features open plan living at first floor to maximise views across the Suffolk countryside. The first floor celebrates solid timber framing in the form of expressed oak frames. A large balcony features in the eastern elevation, adding an outdoor ambience to the first floor living areas.

 

Durrants Building Consultancy helped transform this handsome Victorian house in the conservation area of Diss still further with the design of a new single storey multipurpose living space for the rear of the property.

This property was sold by Durrants and our residential team introduced us to the client, for whom we then provided planning and building regulation design services.

French doors or windows to all three sides now provide views to the existing courtyard style garden with light flooding in through an orangery-style rooflight lantern above.

The design beautifully complements its surroundings so that in summer, doors can be thrown open to enjoy the outdoor space while in winter it is nice and cosy thanks to the log burning stove.

A high quality bespoke kitchen, which flows into the space via a useful breakfast bar, further enhances the space and makes a great place for informal dining.

The result of the design is a very successful fusion of old and new, providing contemporary living at its best.

 

Planning permission was secured for a four dwelling development on a greenfield site on the edge of the Norfolk village of Dickleburgh.

A contemporary design approach was successfully negotiated notwithstanding part of the site is in a Conservation Area. The development, featuring very generously proportioned double storey dwellings, was approved by South Norfolk’s Planning Committee in mid-2016.

 

Durrants were successful in having this greenfield site designated in the South Norfolk Local Plan for 20 dwellings. Durrants subsequently secured planning permission for a 27 dwelling development.

The approved development features single and double storey houses set around an attractive landscaped open space area. South Norfolk Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously in favour of the development in March 2016.

The scheme provides high quality new homes in the village, including much needed affordable homes for local residents. The shared landscaped amenity spaces to the front and central part of the site, together with a playground, will serve as a long term community asset for future residents of the scheme as well as residents of the village.

In March 2016, Durrants secured planning approval for a 44 dwelling development on the edge of Stradbroke, Suffolk. The site context was particularly sensitive, featuring two listed buildings, two historic barns, an exceptional moated site, all set within a Conservation Area.

With a visual connection to the village and open countryside, the context demanded a highly respectful design response. The approved development features the conversion of historic barns and housing design reflecting the aspirations of the Suffolk Design Guide. Flooding, ecology, heritage, landscaping, viability and structural challenges were carefully considered and resolved by Durrants in partnership with its sub-consultants.

Extensive community engagement underpinned the success of the planning process, with community exhibition and targeted consultation with the local parish council, school and medical practice all undertaken prior to lodgement of the planning and listed building applications.

Durrants Building Consultancy were appointed lead designers by Norwich based contractors Omnis Construction in October 2017 to deliver 13 luxury dwellings at The Mallows, Brooke.

 

Durrants Building Consultancy obtained listed building consent and project managed the construction phase of a single storey extension and internal alterations to a Grade II Listed cottage in Starston, just outside Harleston.

The timber frame cottage was in desperate need of refurbishment to adapt its current layout for modern day living. The addition of an open plan vaulted living/dining area to the north of the building allowed the extension to create a fantastic transition from old to new.

The extension also houses two additional bedrooms and a bathroom all benefiting from natural daylight through velux rooflights. Design features include a large flat roof skylight over the dining area as well as black painted open eaves rafters to match the original cottage.