DESIGN AND ACCESS
STATEMENT
In support of the application for a detached dwelling with detached garage and formation
of parking and turning area
AT
BROOKLYN, THE LERBURNE,
WEDMORE, SOMERSET
Applicant - MR S. PATCH
Agent - MR S. MOORE, MOORHAVEN DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
Date - JULY 2016
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CONTEXT
The development site is a rectangular shaped plot which is served via a gently sloping
shared driveway.
A change in levels within the front part of the site creates two tiers which are both
reasonably level. Within the upper tier are various storage containers and hard standings
from former uses, primarily the siting of a mobile home.
The site has the benefit of a brick built screen wall to the southern and eastern boundaries
which will be unaffected by the proposed development. The exiting timber fence to the
western boundary although newly erected will be replaced by a screen wall built with
clay bricks to match the adjoining properties, namely Retort House and Old Gas Works
Cottage.
The existing metal gates at the site frontage will be retained and reused.
The site is currently used by the Applicant to park various commercial vehicles. The
Applicant currently runs a taxi business with the benefit of an Operators License
registered at the site address.
The principle of erecting a detached dwelling within this development site has been held
as acceptable by the Local Planning Authority by previously granting outline planning
consent, however this consent has since lapsed.
ACCESS
The site has the benefit of an existing well established shared driveway off the adopted
highway known as “The Lerburne” which has a pedestrian footway that links to the
centre of Wedmore. This highway provides safe and convenient access by foot to the
excellent range of facilities offered in the centre of the village. The Church, Post Office,
Pharmacy, Green Grocers, Butchers, Village Stores, Village Hall, Public Houses and
numerous independent shops and boutiques are a short walk from the development site.
Accessibility by foot to the public transport is quick, safe and convenient. Although
Wedmore is a village it is a reasonably sustainable location which will comfortably
accommodate the additional dwelling proposed.
The existing drive is regularly used by commercial vehicles owned by the Applicant. The
drive will be retained and unchanged.
A new detached garage will provide parking spaces for the new dwelling which will be
served by a new drive and turning facility, all within the curtilage of the site boundaries.
All works to the dwelling will comply with Approved Document Part M – Access to and
Use of Buildings, 2004 Edition and will be subject to Building Regulation approval.
These regulations cover entry to the building together with internal horizontal and
vertical circulation criteria.
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AMOUNT
The application is for a single 4 bedroom two storey dwelling with a detached garage and
formation of a turning area and parking.
LAYOUT
The orientation of the plot is such to allow the dwelling to face the driveway and access
in to the site. The rear garden will be south facing to maximise levels of natural daylight
to enable the amenity space to be usable from dawn until dusk.
The design of the western elevation prevents any windows from “habitable” rooms from
overlooking the neighbouring properties known as “Bramleys” and “Conifer Croft”.
The design of the internal first floor arrangement has been reviewed to ensure no
“habitable” rooms directly overlook the neighbouring property, Retort House.
The new garage will be set into the lower tier and set back against the existing boundary
wall to minimise the impact on the adjoining property known as “Retort House”
APPEARANCE
The design incorporates high quality materials such as natural walling stone and oak
joinery. The external corners of the property, and all door and window surrounds, will
have toothed brickwork quoins to compliment the adjoining properties. The openings will
have a blend of solid oak beams or arched brickwork as heads with precast stone cills to
all windows.
Precast Bathstone copings and corbel blocks to the verges of the main house roof will
again compliment the detailing used in the adjoining properties and throughout the
village.
The substantial chimney breast on the eastern gable end will be constructed using hand
made clay bricks which will provide relief from the mass of walling stone yet will
compliment the overall appearance.
The canopy to the front elevation over the front door will be an oak framed structure. The
roof covering will have smaller reclaimed plain tiles which will provide relief whilst still
compliment the use of the reclaimed double roman roof tiles to the main roof.
All elevations will have a “whole house” cohesive overall appearance. The same detailing
design and build quality will not differ between elevations and these principles will not
be diluted on the less prominent elevations.
Whilst the development site is outside the boundary of the Wedmore Conservation Area
the proposals will reflect the local vernacular. The village has a varied eclectic pallet of
materials and the design proposals will incorporate well established detailing whilst using
locally sourced quality materials.
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The proposed scheme will positively enhance the character and quality of the surrounding
area.
SCALE
The size and scale of this two storey dwelling is similar to properties along The Lerburne
and those throughout the village.
The modest accommodation of 150m2 reflects the size and constraints of the
development site, whilst still providing ample circulation to the perimeter of the dwelling.
LANDSCAPING
Soft landscaping will be incorporated within the amenity areas to the front of the new
dwelling to provide relief from the hard standing provided from the pedestrian and
vehicular access.
Additional landscaping details may be submitted should the Local Authority wish to
impose an appropriate condition to the planning consent to safeguard the implementation
and future maintenance of the landscaping scheme.
UTILITIES AND ENERGY STATEMENT
The dwelling will be connected to the public foul sewer. Mains water and gas are
available in the highway with mains electricity available from within the curtilage of the
site.
A high efficiency gas condensing boiler in conjunction with high levels of insulation
within the fabric of the building will ensure the thermal performance exceeds the
requirements of Approved Document Part L of the Building Regulations.
PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Wedmore is defined as a “Key Rural Settlement” in the Core Strategy where Policy P4
supports housing within the existing settlement boundary.
The development site is within the Wedmore Settlement boundary of the village where
the principle of residential development is and has been accepted.
The principle of erecting a detached dwelling within this development site has been held
as acceptable by the Local Planning Authority by previously granting outline planning
permission, however this consent has since elapsed.
The site falls outside the Wedmore Conservation Area boundary.
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The adjoining buildings, Retort House and Gas Works Cottage, are not “Listed” and
therefore the site is not within the curtilage of a Listed Building.
Whilst there is local historic interest in these two buildings there is no “heritage asset”
classification in terms of Planning Policy. Furthermore there are no specific Planning
Policies which directly relate to these buildings or this area of the village nor is there any
Supplementary Planning Policies which cover this site.
Not withstanding the above the revised detailing of the elevations will compliment the
materials used in these adjoining buildings and throughout the village.
The scheme delivers a sustainable development within the settlement boundary with easy,
safe access to facilities and services within the village.
Planning policy frameworks encourage a presumption in favour of sustainable
developments and encourage the effective use of land by reusing land that has been
previously used (brownfield land)
The scheme will positively enhance the character and quality of the surrounding area and
for these reasons it is requested the application is approved and planning permission
granted.
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