Project Overview
Bell Cornwell has obtained planning permission at appeal for the conversion of a former gamekeeper’s dog kennels into a dwelling. Historically, the kennels were associated with the gamekeeper’s lodge of Strete Ralegh House, a small country house in the centre of what is now East Devon District.
Securing permission for the scheme presented a number of challenges including overcoming the local authority’s resistance to the principle of a residential conversion in a countryside location and developing a design which protected the unusual and historic character of the kennels in a way which still allowed their viable use as a house. However, the main obstacle was demonstrating to the planning inspector that the building was not ‘curtilage listed’ – as the Council asserted – by virtue of its association with a nearby listed building.
To overcome these issues, Bell Cornwell worked with the client, the scheme designer and a heritage consultant over a long period to address this concern and construct a clear case to demonstrate the merits of the proposals.
Following consideration of the appeal at an informal hearing, the planning inspector allowed the scheme and accepted our arguments that the building was not listed and concluded that there would be clear benefits in allowing the conversion as a means of protecting a traditional and attractive building into the future.
Image Credit – Expedite Project Services
