Planning and Listed Building Consent has been granted for remodelling to a cottage located in the South Downs National Park
James and his team have worked closely with Haig Dalton of Chilcroft to undertake a careful historical appraisal of a Grade II Listed Cottage in a conservation area in the heart of the South Downs National Park. The client wanted to make better use of the compromised ground floor originally built prior to 1740. The aim of this scheme is to improve the overall amenity space of the dwelling and in particular, to create a formal kitchen, family, dining and entertaining space leading out into the pretty cottage garden.
This home is a fine example of a worker’s tithe cottage which over the years has been altered and extended many times since the Victorian period.
To meet the clients’ requirements a scheme was created to preserve and enhance the significance of the listed building and its setting. JWA successfully negotiated a series of alterations improving the flow and efficiency of the house. Whilst only a modest increase of floor area was required the redesign of interior planning has transformed the use of the ground floor space. The front door has been repositioned, the kitchen relocated and a wider garden opening negotiated to create a better relationship between the kitchen and the garden as well as bringing evening sun into the house. In addition, the stair has been remodelled; the existing dangerous and awkwardly arranged stair has been redesigned to create a more comfortable arrangement.
Haig Dalton notes, “The proposal will represent a high quality of design to the significance of the listed building and its setting and further the appreciation of the historic environment in the wider Conservation Area. The scheme will improve upon the significance of the listed building by being more in keeping with the historic built form of the earliest parts of the historic dwelling through the improvement of its built form, layout and historic fabric. ”
Plan of Ground Floor showing history of Cottage’s evolution
Planning Approval was granted at the end of July and building work is expected to start on site towards Spring 2021.
