Planning Statement to accompany Planning Application for works at Cutler’s
Croft, Church Lane, Crowle, Worcestershire WR7 4AX
Planning statement
1.0
Doc CCC-(P)-300B
Introduction
This statement has been prepared by Mungo Park Architects in support of a full
application for the demolition of existing substandard rear WC and bathroom,
repair of oak structural timber frame, replacement of infill panels with lambswool
insulated panel system (lime rendered), where affected by new timber placement;
re-rendering to brick gable, construction of new bedroom and bathroom suite to
rear of property.
Mungo Park Architects are appointed as architects for the project by the owner of
the property Mr and Mrs James Bladon.
2.0
Site location and history
Site Location
Cutler’s Croft is located on an individual plot within the rural village setting of
Church Road, Crowle, Worcestershire; the house itself stands back from the road
within a well-planted front garden. It is a listed building, which falls within the
settlement area and the Crowle Conservation Area. Some work to the timber
frame on the east (front) façade and the external brickwork of the south gable is
planned; the main site for new development lies to the west (rear) of the existing
building, bordering the access drive to the south of the property.
History
The existing building, which dates from C17th, is a brick and timber structure with
a clay tile roof. It has had mid-C19th and mid-C20th single storey additions and
outhouses constructed to the north and west. It is likely, looking at the 1886 map
that a more substantial enlargement took place in the late C19 th. The original
structure has been substantially altered in the C20th , and has suffered from
‘modern’ repair, with a cement sand render being applied to the end gable
(south) and cement/sand mortar or render being used elsewhere to the detriment
of the structure. Substantial amounts of the original timber frame are missing and
other parts are in a poor condition. The single storey additions to the west
elevation are inadequately built and show signs of damp incursion. The apparent
loss of structural integrity from the main timber frame has been compensated for
by the construction of various internal brick skin walls. Internally the building has
undergone considerable modification in the C20 th, probably in two main periods,
the 1930’s and the 1970’s, and there is little of historic significance remaining
intact. Historic damp penetration or condensation has appeared to have been a
problem and various non-breathable coatings have been applied in an attempt to
prevent dampness to the interior on the ground floor. Some Artex has been used
on the ground floor over the previous gypsum plaster. Any work which involves
physical damage to Artex will need to be preceded by an asbestos related
demolition and refurbishment survey, but it is not anticipated that any such work
will be undertaken.
3.0
Proposed work
The proposed work seeks to achieve two main goals, which are as follows:  Repair and improvement of existing building, to reverse some of the
inappropriate modifications and materials previously installed, and to reinstate the timber framed structure where possible.
 Demolition of the existing poor quality extension to the south-west corner
and replacement with a new bedroom and bathroom.
The main elements of material improvement will be as follows:  The removal of cement sand (Tyrolean) render finish externally to the
south gable, and replacement with natural 3 coat lime render and
pigmented limewash.
 Replacement of missing timbers to re-establish the full structural integrity
of the oak frame, particularly to the west elevation, where possible.
 Internal structural modifications to re-instate structural elements,
particularly the timber truss, at present sawn through, on the first floor.
 Removal of brick infill from those panel areas affected by timber renewal,
and replacing it with an insulated and breathable panel system to improve
the thermal performance, weathering and air tightness of the building,
without creating condensation problems.
4.0
Areas
The new extension to the rear will be formed within a new brick boundary wall to
the lane to the south. A tern-coated stainless steel standing seam roof will
announce the building as a modern addition. It does not seek to present a
pastiche of the existing building style but rather, to return definition to the
original structure. The new extension, which will be rendered on the inside face to
reflect light and match its surroundings will remove the existing extension of
gross area 9.5 m2. It will provide a new addition of gross area 31m2.
With a gross existing area of 159m2 and a gross new area of 180.5 m2 the
proposed new extension represents a nett increase of 21.5m2, or 13.5% of the
existing gross floor area.
5.0
Scale, appearance and layout
The site layout and internal building plan are described on the application
drawings. This is a simple extension to provide an adequate downstairs WC and
an additional bedroom to the property. There is ample room within the site, and
the extension does not impinge on the public realm or compromise the
traditional quality of the Conservation Area. The new construction, and the
materials used will highlight the restored quality of the existing house as against
the more modern materials used in the extension, but this is a modest proposal,
which will sit quietly behind the boundary wall, creating a quiet enclosure inside
the garden which will benefit the occupants and complement the building.
6.0
Drainage
The site as existing is served by a combined main sewer. This existing provision
will be easily modified to accept the foul and storm water outfall from the site.
No additional load will be created.
7.0
Conclusion
The proposed works seek to improve and enhance the quality of one of Crowle’s
historical buildings. It will do so by restoring and improving much of its original
fabric, and providing an extension of modest additional area that will complement
and define the historic building more clearly.
Mungo Park Architects
April 2014