We are extremely pleased to announce that we recently received planning approval for an exciting and architecturally inspiring new-build project.

One of the biggest challenges when planning a new-build is finding a suitable building plot. However, if you are fortunate enough to have a large garden, one could be right under your nose.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to obtain planning permission, our Client approached OSPIN to explore a fresh approach to unlocking the potential of a garden plot on the edge of a local Kent village. Located beside a listed building and within both a Conservation Area and the High Weald AONB, the site presented a number of planning challenges from the outset.

A meticulously detailed feasibility study formed the starting point of the design process. Regular meetings with the Client, Council Officers and the Planning Advisor enabled us to develop the proposal collaboratively. This approach produced a scheme that not only met the Client’s expectations, but also respected the site and satisfied the requirements of the local planning authority.

The result is an exciting proposal. The four-bedroom house is partially submerged below ground level, with a sunken central courtyard bringing natural light into the lower-ground floor. Above ground, the house is clad in timber with a standing seam roof. Its form echoes the agricultural barn buildings found throughout the local landscape.