Our client approached us having a semi detached house with a large garden to the side of the house. They had outline planning approval some 25 years previously for a single dwelling on the land and wanted to sell the land with planning approval.
The existing house is elevated around 3m above the road. Current planning applications require off road parking where practical, especially on narrow roads, but the height difference of the site restricted the space available to put a drive up to a new house, which led to the design of a double garage cut into the bank, the construction of which would be structural retaining walls to support the bungalow built over the top.
There is enough space to draw both cars off the road and park them side by side in front of the garage doors.
The open plan lounge and kitchen with large feature window would allow day light to reach the kitchen area. Bedrooms are positioned at the rear of the property, whilst the master bedroom and lounge enjoy the best views across the valley.
A small balcony positioned outside the lounge window forms a roof over the parked cars, and provides an excellent sitting area to enjoy the views over the valley.
After successfully obtaining the planning approval for the bungalow to be built on the plot beside the house, the land was sold. The new owner despite liking the approved plans wanted to make some changes to suit their own requirements. This involved re-visiting the planning department with a revised plan having raised the roof to accommodate bedrooms on a mezzanine level, and minor alterations to the master bedroom to include a ensuite shower room.