Planning Permission for a New Home on the Dorset Coast!
We are delighted to have received full planning permission for the conversion of an existing agricultural building in an enviable location near Worth Matravers, Dorset, into a modest new home.
Set amongst the rolling hills of the Isle of Purbeck, the site benefits from exceptional views across the countryside towards the sea. The proposal has been carefully designed to respond to this setting, within the AONB, creating a home that strengthens the connection to the landscape.
The starting point for the project, the existing building is something of an ugly duckling! A grain store dating from the 1960’s, the building has a traditional rectangular plan form with pitched roof and gable ends. The steel frame is clad in metal sheet under a corrugated asbestos roof.
Our design approach was to retain the agricultural character but respect the sensitivity of the setting to create a contemporary rural dwelling. The original building presented a number of challenges, with limited openings and a frame size that restricts opportunities for natural light and views. Working within these constraints, our design introduces a series of carefully considered interventions to unlock the potential of the existing structure.
The dwelling will be entered from a door in the north elevation, (beside the parking area), into a hallway and stairwell entry, temporarily ‘removing’ the view for visitors. But then with a theatrical flourish, one enters the main living space downstairs and the view is revealed via full width glazed doors across the southern gable end. These lead to a recessed terrace with glass balustrade.
That “wow factor” is repeated on the first floor where the master bedroom with vaulted ceiling benefits from the same treatment – glazed doors leading to a recessed balcony, running the full width of the building, also with glass balustrade but arguably better views!
The glazing to the southern end however is intentionally set back from the edge of the structure by 2.4m. That provides a covered, sheltered outdoor space on both ground and first floor and at the same time, offers shading to the glazing – an important design feature in our increasingly hot summers.
The external material palette responds to the rural setting, with natural timber cladding to the walls giving an harmonious appearance but a softer one than the existing metal cladding and one that complements the nearby stone farm buildings. The roof is replaced with a standing seam metal finish providing a simple, durable finish. Photovoltaic panels are integrated into the roof design, helping improve the building’s energy performance and support a more sustainable approach.
By converting the existing grain store rather than replacing it, the proposal continues that approach and will create a contemporary home that celebrates the agricultural heritage of the Farmstead it was part of and its exceptional coastal setting. Our sensitive design approach and experience with handling planning applications in prominent sites like this allowed the project to receive full planning approval at the first attempt. We look forward to seeing the project realised!