Unlocking a complex site

Responding to bold aspirations for a contemporary new home on a country estate in Surrey, this individual country house had to demonstrate the highest standards in architecture in a rural setting, whilst remaining sensitive to existing contextual character and embodying a significant landscape enhancement.

Cantilevering over water, the property takes inspiration from the history of its location, responding aesthetically, and using upcycled steel, to connect the contemporary design to the industrial heritage of the estate.

Set in a working agricultural landscape, the house needed to respond to numerous constraints including ancient woodland, a flood zone designation, and ecological considerations such as its proximity to a manmade but a species-rich lake.

Objective

To gain planning consent for a unique country home of exceptional landscape design and quality within a flood zone.

Approach

Faced with an attractive lakeside site within a working agricultural landscape, there were several constraints to overcome to secure consent to build an exceptional county house in this location. With the entire site in Flood Zone 3, and adjacent to ancient woodland and root protection zone, there were material ecological and hydrological considerations to address through both the design and technical solutions.

An innovative planning strategy led to a highly detailed planning application which addressed complex challenges, responding to technical and aesthetic influences. Project managed by Rural Solutions, leading a team of experts, our planning and landscape architecture team worked alongside experts in ecology, architecture, hydrology, arboriculture, sustainability, and civil and structural engineering.

Alongside the quality of the house which was designed to respond to the site constraints whilst delivering on the client’s aesthetic ambition, the landscape setting achieved significant biodiversity net gain (BNG) enhancements of habitat, hedgerow, and river units. The result is a next-generation country home that reflects its rich history and connection to place, whilst responding to future challenges and the requirements of modern living.

Designs were rigorously evaluated by several parties including Waverley Borough Council, multiple Design Review Panels, Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency. This extensive testing allowed the experienced planning team to skilfully navigate the local planning system to achieve a successful outcome.

The Rural Solutions’ team understands the importance of maintaining a clear and consistent line of communication with the client and all parties involved to maintain an efficient level of productivity and to manage expectations.

After undertaking a design and development review, the application was submitted, and planning approval was secured via a delegated decision for the isolated new home under Paragraph 84e of the NPPF in December 2024.

Main image and drawings (c) Richard Parr Associates