Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape
Laurence Associates have again been successful at Appeal, in this case for a new dwelling within the Cornwall National Landscape, proving our high-level planning judgement and expertise to gain planning consents through collaborative working.
The appeal followed a refusal made by Cornwall Council on character impact, despite the sound arguments made during the application process. Within the appeal, the same arguments were made, with the case being that the proposed dwelling would not impact the existing character of the area and would contribute towards housing need.
Integral to this was the high-quality design secured, which was a product of collaboration between our in-house Architect and Landscape Architect and the clients initial concepts.
In reaching the design, understanding its environment was integral. The site for the new dwelling sits at the edge of an existing settlement. As such, the design process needed to carefully negotiating the transition between village and landscape. Important to this was producing a Landscape Visual Impact assessment which dictated key parameters such as siting, material palette and scale.
From this, our Architects could follow this advice, with the final approved scheme the result of a rigorous, design-led process that places context, scale and materiality at its heart. The final design represented a modern interpretation of the local white cottages with slate roofs that characterise the area. Its form was deliberately simple and legible, drawing on familiar proportions, pitched roof profiles and a restrained palette, while reworking these elements in a contemporary way. White render, natural slate and subtle metal detailing were also combined to create a building that feels rooted in local tradition, yet clearly of its time.
The project demonstrates how sensitive design, grounded in a deep understanding of place and supported by an integrated architectural, planning and landscape approach, can successfully transform a challenging site into a positive addition to its context.
From the outset, the architecture was developed hand-in-hand with our in-house Landscape Architects. This collaborative approach ensured the dwelling was shaped as much by its setting as by its internal requirements. With a robust planning case running alongside this, a compelling case was formed and ultimately led to the appeal being allowed.
