The conversion of a disused barn on a rural site in the Mendips can now go ahead, thanks to work by our planning consultants and architects.
After a previous application was refused, our client approached the team at Nash Partnership for help with proposals to convert the redundant barn into a two-bed, low-energy home.
With a raft of local and national plans and policies to consider, our planning consultants successfully justified the proposals. The application included visualisations developed by our design team and specialist input from ecologist, landscape, transport and arborist consultants. Significant consideration was given to the protection of the natural, built and historic environment as well as the options to re-use redundant countryside buildings for residential purposes.
Given the site’s tranquil rural location, design proposals for the barn conversion needed careful consideration to ensure its sensitive integration into the setting. In addition to its low-energy design, the property will include solar PVs and hot water collector, rainwater harvesting, and high thermal insulation. Plans also include the introduction of a vegetable garden for the family and other biodiversity net gain improvements.
Associate Planner Alison Lugsden, who led the team from Nash Partnership, said: “Our client’s redundant barn is ideal for a sustainable self-build dwelling so we were pleased to support the proposals. Despite a recommendation for refusal, we’re delighted that the committee decided to support the application for this sympathetic development and our client can now proceed with the next phase.”
Commenting on the planning success, our client said: “We’re overjoyed to have received the go-ahead and can’t wait to get started. The planning team’s calm and reasoned approach has been a great source of reassurance, as was their guidance and strategic, confident lead throughout. We are really looking forward to the next steps and to continuing our relationship with Nash.”
