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Underground home finally gets planning |
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23 Sep 2009, 4:26 PM
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An almost entirely subterannean dwelling has received planning permission, following a long struggle with the local planners.The proposed earth sheltered home, which was given the green light on 10 September by Trafford Borough Council Planning Committee will be set within the grounds of a 19th century Victorian property in Bowdon, Altrincham within the Devisdale Conservation Area.
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Set within the grounds of Limehurst the dwelling will be hidden entirely underneath a new landscaped classical English garden feature. The three bedroom property will be focused around a central lightwell atrium with accommodation over two floors. The upper floor closest to ground level will comprise the main living space, with the lower floor housing bedrooms and recreational space including a swimming pool.
Colin Williams a partner with independent planning consultants DPP in Manchester who advised the developer, Huntsmere said: “The decision to build the property entirely underground follows the refusal of planning permission in 2003 and subsequent dismissed appeal in 2004. The design ethos is based on preserving the character of Limehurst and that of the wider Conservation Area, with the only above ground development consisting of a garden feature, enhancing the soft landscaping of the existing gardens and maximising the retention of openness surrounding the property and maintaining the spaciousness of this part of the Devisdale Conservation Area."
He continues: "This new development has been specifically designed to address all of the specific points raised by the Planning Inspector and we are delighted that Trafford Borough Council was fulsome in their support for the proposal with the decision to grant planning permission. It demonstrates that even where there is seemingly no prospect of achieving a consent, with ingenuity and imaginative design even the most challenging of proposals can be achieved.”
Matthew Birkinshaw, a planner with DPP who worked on the project adds: “To obtain planning permission for an entirely underground house was a huge challenge; we had to work hard with the planners at Trafford
Council to overcome objections to the original above ground scheme that focused primarily on the design of the property which appeared out of keeping with the spacious landscaped gardens and appeared visually intrusive in the Conservation Area.”
Despite continued and strong objection to the new subterranean scheme DPP was able to successfully demonstrate that through concentrating scale, massing and footprint of the building underground the proposals address issues of spaciousness, landscaped character, visual impact and residential amenity. A significant amount of detail was prepared with the application which successfully demonstrated the construction process, which has been specifically devised to protect and preserve the existing landscaping.
Huntsmere have considerable experience of designing dwellings for sensitive locations and the development proposals continue in the same vein.
Chris Oakes of Huntsmere said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this decision and very excited by the challenges of building a luxurious family home entirely underground. We have quite a few bespoke developments under our belt that include elements housed underground, but this will be the first entirely subterranean home we have built.
“There are some very sensible and practical reasons for developing down as opposed upwards. The property has very little impact on the surrounding environment; it is easy to heat in winter and to keep cool in summer; and by incorporating the highest standards in design solutions the energy demands of the building can be significantly cut. I am confident that this house in Bowdon will become an architectural landmark, albeit one that most people will never see.”
Credits:: Picture of the invisible Limehurst earth sheltered house
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