Our client appointed us with respect to a carbon-neutral family self-build home on a site located in open countryside, which had TPO’s, and as such was unacceptable in local planning policy terms. Previous applications, by another company, had been unsuccessful.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), however, makes an exception in special circumstances where designs are “truly outstanding or innovative”.
A redesign of the original house design was proposed to ensure that the application had the best chance of arguing that the house was of exceptional quality. A robust and detailed planning statement was included within the planning application, incorporating the design and access statement to justify the scheme and design.
Although the Planning Department recommended refusal, the Planning Committee granted approval, commenting the house achieved a “… high standard of sustainable construction and innovative design”.
