5x Dwellings Approved in Coggeshall, Essex

Our client had acquired a site that had planning permission for 5x dwellings on land at the edge of Coggeshall, Essex, which is located in Braintree District. Despite having planning permission, the approved scheme did not represent the best possible development for this site, as it had failed to fully respect the character and context of area and had not fully utilised its potential.

Our architects provided a full design and contextual review for our client, with suggestions on how the scheme could be improved and create a better development. These suggestions were fully embraced by our client who saw the merits of enhancing the design scope and potential at this location.

Overall, the layout of the site remained the same as the approve scheme, however, the design was progressed in order to create a more sympathetic design which will have less of an impact on the countryside, whilst retaining a development of family homes.

The key design changes included:

• An increase in the number of bungalows as part of the dwelling mix from two to three, thereby softening the impact upon the landscape.

• The introduction of 2x 2-storey dwellings, with an increased height, compared with the approved chalet dwellings.

• Alterations to the ridgeline to reduce the impact on the skyline.

• The provision of extensive landscaping and public open space within the development to ensure that its impact would be softened and a smooth transition created between the built form of Coggeshall and the open countryside beyond.

The design changes achieved two 4-bedroom, 2-storey dwellings and three 4-bedroom bungalow dwellings and enabled this development of family housing to successful embed into the edge settlement location without impacting upon the surrounding character and context.We are pleased that Braintree District Council supported the revised proposals and subsequently granted planning permission for the new design.

It is not always the case that an approved planning application represents the most efficient and best form of development for a site. It is often prudent to review a planning permission before committing to the project to ensure that all possible options have been explored.

If you have a development project and require professional advice, please contact one of our planners or architects at mail@adpltd.co.uk.

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