Worplesdon Road

A Grade II listed, two-storey property located within a secluded Green Belt site, set back from Worplesdon Road and accessed via a private driveway. The grounds are extensive, featuring a large garden, tennis court, and swimming pool, contributing to its private and rural character. A series of planning applications were submitted relating to the redevelopment and enhancement of the site, including the demolition of existing stable blocks and the construction of a new ancillary residential building, as well as alterations to an adjoining annexe and access arrangements.

A separate application proposed the construction of a new swimming pool and associated plant compound. Planning officers assessed this scheme and concluded that, due to its modest size and limited engineering works, it would not harm the openness of the Green Belt. Careful consideration was also given to heritage impacts, with the pool’s discreet siting, lowered position, and natural screening ensuring that key views to and from the listed building would be preserved and its setting unharmed.

The second scheme involved a replacement building that closely matched the footprint and location of the existing stables, with only a slight increase in height. Design revisions, particularly the enclosure of open bays, were made in consultation with conservation officers to ensure visual compatibility. Wider considerations, including Green Belt policy and ecological impacts such as protected species, were addressed through detailed assessments and mitigation measures. All three planning applications were ultimately approved, with permissions granted in August and November 2023.