Set in a site of approximately half an acre, the proposed replacement dwelling is located at the edge of the village of Chillenden, adjoining a conservation area and adjacent to a grade two listed, popular public house.
The existing cottage was a run down 3-bedroom property. The clients felt very strongly that the new dwelling should sit in harmony with its traditional and quaint Kentish location. The two major concerns from the planning department were the proximity and visual appearance from the grade 2 listed building and the visibility from the nearby country highway. The scale and massing was paramount to the attainment of this planning permission, together with the appropriate selection of external materials.
It was agreed that the dwelling should resemble an agricultural building like the existing (now redeveloped) barn on site. Materials were proposed to be traditional agricultural timber cladding, stained in black, slate roof and timber windows. The planners were not keen on any roof fenestration on 2 sides of the property. This was challenging, as the 1st floor accommodation is all situated in the roof space. Creative Architecture proposed "barn type" roof glazing in order to gain the much needed light. Even though the restrictions from the planners where quite strict, a clever design was conceived allowing for 4/5-bedroom home with ample living and entertaining areas. This project was finally realised in 2021.
