Planning Granted for an Extension in Rural Braintree

We are delighted that Braintree District Council has approved a substantial extension to a home in the countryside in rural Braintree, near Helions Bumpstead, Essex.

We were instructed to provide planning advice following a previous refusal at this site. The Council’s previous reason for the refusal related to the size, scale, form, design and materials of the proposed extension. We provided a planning strategy to overcome these reasons and planning and design justification in support of the new planning application.

The Site Context of the Application Site

The application site consists of a detached dwellinghouse located in the countryside. The building is an attractive Victorian red brick building, set in a generously sized plot.

The site is located outside of any designated development boundary, approximately 1km to the north of the closest defined village, Helions Bumpstead.

The Proposed Extension

The application proposed the erection of a two-storey rear extension, a front porch, and new window openings.

The extension would be finished in timber cladding to the top half and matching red brick to the bottom half. The roof would be clad in plain clay tiles to match the existing dwelling.

How we overcome the Council’s previous refusal

We suggested design interventions to overcome the previous planning refusal.

But it was also clear that the Council’s previous decision was based on an ill-founded understanding of the site. We undertook a detailed contextual analysis to demonstrate that the proposed extension would be fully compliant with the Council’s adopted planning polices relating to design.

As a result of our advice, the revised proposal would appear better proportioned to the host dwelling.

The window detailing, which is characteristic of the host dwelling, would be replicated to the new windows in the extension.

The proposed materials, including timber weatherboarding, matching soft red bricks, and clay plain tiles, would be more suitable for the host dwelling than the previously proposed materials.

Braintree District Council subsequently agreed that the application would overcome the previous reason for refusal and was acceptable in respect of design and appearance.

Are you planning an extension in Braintree?

If you planning an extension to your home in Braintree, please contact us using the form below or via mail@adpltd.co.uk to see how we can assist you through the planning process.