Zesta Planning was assigned on behalf of private clients to prepare a planning application for a new detached annex comprising additional living accommodation to replace the existing annex in Chipping Norton. The proposal also included a detached three-bay garage building with domestic storage above and a greenhouse within the existing vegetable garden.

The application was submitted following extensive pre-application discussions in January 2021 with the Council, with the proposal seeking to address the comments raised by the council in relation to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Bledington Conservation Area. To address AONB and Heritage concerns, a comprehensive Design and Access Statement was completed by Poole Phillips Architects which detailed the design principles of the proposal alongside the submitted suite of plans.

The proposal ensured that there was a functional link with the principal dwelling, to ensure that the accommodation provided within the annex was ancillary. The sensitive design of the buildings and existing landscaping ensure that the character and setting of the Cotswolds AONB are respected. The new annex was constructed of Cotswold stone, stone quoins, vertical machined timber cladding materials and casement doors and windows, with the link constructed of lightweight aluminium framed glass. This guaranteed the accommodation was subservient in design and scale to the existing dwelling with no boundary demarcation or sub-division of garden areas between the proposed annex and the principal dwelling.

Zesta were able to show that the development would not result in harm to the setting of the main building due to the developments subservient nature and appropriate design, size and scale and managed to secure full planning permission.