"The couple faced a struggle against the architects to secure permission for constructing a barn-style DIY project"
A Rural Retreat: Couple Builds Traditional Agricultural-Inspired Home
In the heart of the countryside, Clive and Sue have transformed a nine-acre plot of land that once housed their daughter's horse into a charming single-storey home reminiscent of a traditional agricultural building.
The house, designed to emulate a series of converted barns and outbuildings, boasts a simple rectangular shape with a barn-like aesthetic, thanks to its rustic bricks, black-stained weatherboarding, slates, peg tiles, and pantiles.
Inside, the house maintains its agricultural character with natural, rustic finishes. A walk-in larder and wood-effect porcelain tiles laid over underfloor heating provide a hard-wearing finish with a warm feel.
The home features four ground-floor bedrooms, each with a wetroom-style shower room for ease of access and cleaning. The house also offers a mezzanine office for Clive, complete with library shelving and a window seat with storage space below.
To secure planning permission for replacing the commercial buildings on rural land, Clive and Sue submitted detailed plans and complied with local building regulations and zoning laws. They also demonstrated the change of use from commercial to residential/agricultural building, ensuring that the replacement building fit with rural character and local development policies.
The couple's persistence paid off, as they were granted planning permission after a battle with the planners. To overcome challenges with the poor water supply pressure, they installed a system in the plant room to store and pressurise water around the entire house.
For a more sustainable alternative to a standard septic tank, a biodigester was installed. Two air source heat pumps were purchased to power underfloor heating, and a separate utility room with a drinks station and a boiling water tap was incorporated.
To keep the house clean, a boot room and a designated dog shower were included in the design. The new house is a testament to Clive and Sue's dedication to creating a sustainable and beautiful home that blends seamlessly into the countryside.
[1] Farmhouse Plan Providers Offering One-Story or One-and-a-Half-Story Designs with Open Loft Spaces Adaptable for Mezzanines or Offices. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.farmhouseplan.com/
[2] Planning Permission for Replacing Commercial Buildings on Rural Land. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-permission-for-changing-the-use-of-buildings-between-different-commercial-uses
[3] One-Story Farmhouse Plans with Mezzanine Offices. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hometownplans.com/
[5] Farmhouse Plans with Open Loft Spaces. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.plans-direct.co.uk/
- Clive and Sue were inspired by farmhouse plan providers offering one-story or one-and-a-half-story designs with open loft spaces adaptable for mezzanines or offices.
- In their pursuit of a traditional agricultural-inspired home, Clive and Sue had to submit detailed plans and comply with local building regulations and zoning laws to secure planning permission for replacing commercial buildings on rural land.
- The couple's persistence paid off, as they were granted planning permission, and they incorporated a mezzanine office into their home design, complete with library shelving and a window seat with storage space below.
- Inside the house, a walk-in larder and wood-effect porcelain tiles laid over underfloor heating provide a hard-wearing finish with a warm feel, reflecting the rustic character of the home.
- To maintain the agricultural character of the home, each bedroom features a wetroom-style shower room for ease of access and cleaning.
- To overcome challenges with the poor water supply pressure, Clive and Sue installed a system in the plant room to store and pressurize water around the entire house.
- For a more sustainable alternative to a standard septic tank, they opted for a biodigester, which provides an eco-friendly waste management solution.
- To power underfloor heating and offer additional utility space, they incorporated two air source heat pumps and designed a separate utility room with a drinks station and a boiling water tap.
- To keep the house clean, they included a boot room and a designated dog shower in the design, ensuring a lifestyle that seamlessly blends with the countryside.
- Their dedication to creating a sustainable and beautiful home that blends seamlessly into the countryside serves as a guide for others looking to build eco-friendly homes while preserving rural character and local development policies.
