Permission granted for new ‘grand design’

A Sussex architectural and planning expert is celebrating after getting permission for another contemporary, sustainable dwelling in the county. Determined consultant Glenn Moore of Pevensey-based GM Moore Associates successfully fought to gain approval for The Coach House, near Pevensey.

His comprehensive and very persuasive planning statement outlined how the proposed dwelling had been designed to respect and work with the landscape of the Low Weald.

The Coach House, which is on an unusual sloped site in Stone Cross, Pevensey, East Sussex, is the third extraordinary eco house that Glenn has secured permission for in the last year, including a round house.

He has also had a string of other successes for other projects, many involving listed buildings. Glenn said: “My clients approached me with a clear vision of their requirements. They specified that they wanted a new house that would be sustainable, open plan and work efficiently as a family home on the unusual sloped site, making use of but not impacting upon the existing pond. I was delighted to be able to secure permission for them and help make their dream a reality.”

The development was justified by highlighting that The Coach House would be adding to the much-needed housing stock of Wealden and that, as the site is already in residential use, it would not be harmful to the greenfield area and would be beneficial to the community.

A spokesperson from the council commented that: “The design of the property has been carefully considered and will have no detrimental impact on the surrounding area. The new dwelling makes good use of the plot to achieve commendable levels of sustainability.”

Glenn went on to explain that the house will be as eco as possible: “The design embraces new technologies to reduce carbon emissions and incorporates renewable sources for heat and energy. The aim is that the house will be constructed to meet standards required for accreditation as a sustainable and passive house.”

A key feature of the ambitious design is the way it cuts into the land. On approaching the dwelling from the north it will have the appearance of a modest bungalow yet, from the southern side, two stories will be visible. It will be slightly built out over the pond, influenced by traditional stilt houses. The design has a ‘V’ shaped footprint and is positioned to take maximum advantage of the surroundings and to achieve greater solar gain. The subterranean parts of the design will enhance the insulation of the property and the large amount of glazing to the Southern side allows for light and heat to penetrate from the sun.

“This will be an energy efficient home that makes use of cutting-edge technologies and design, maximising the use of the available land, pond and position embodying sustainable principles and passive design. There will be solar panels located on the pitched roof, a heat-recovery system and underfloor heating supplied by a heat pump and coil system located in the pond. The pond will be an attenuator for water run-off and act as a balancing pond,” Glenn explained.

The simplistic, open-plan design allows for a free-flowing living arrangement and makes the house into a ‘life-time home’. The post and lintel construction, along with the extensive glazing, will allow walls to be moved and the property to evolve with its occupants and meet their changing lifestyle demands. There is also space included within the design for the addition of a lift at a later date, if required.

Simon Montgomery, editor of Bay Life, who interviewed Glenn last year as part of an advertising feature for the community platform commented;

‘I am delighted for Glenn. I quickly came to the conclusion when I was talking to him, that his work was both pioneering and sustainable’.

‘It is great to see the Council having the vision to support his work. The locality has a rich and eclectic architectural history and we need professional people who intuitively understand this point. Glenn understands this point in spades’.

‘New dwellings in this special part of Sussex, to make their mark, have to be both timeless and particular. That takes a great deal of skill and experience to pull off.  The trick with any new project is to make it look like it belongs, like it has always been there and Glenn gets it right.  As far as I am concerned, he is a Timelord. The local community should feel very proud to have a master in its midst’.

GM Moore and Associates www.gmassociates.co.uk is based in Pevensey, East Sussex, and provides a range of design, planning and technical services that include extensions and refurbishments to period properties, conversion of barns and oasts and construction of new buildings using traditional methods and materials in new and innovative ways.

For more information telephone Glenn Moore on 01323 888013 or e-mail glenn@gmassociates.co.uk