Following the purchase of the site at auction in 2011, we were appointed to secure planning permission for two new residential houses.
The scheme was carefully designed to respond to its sensitive surroundings, with no overlooking toward the school to the north or neighbouring properties to the south, ensuring privacy and compliance with planning requirements.
Architecturally, the houses were conceived with a strong contemporary character, including a fully glazed façade arranged over two storeys, complemented by Sussex flintwork and red brick corner detailing to anchor the design within its local context.
From a sustainability perspective, the original proposal incorporated flat roofs to maximise photovoltaic performance. Through the planning process, this was refined in response to local design guidance, resulting in pitched slate roofs with recessed gutters to better reflect the character of nearby buildings while maintaining a high-quality, modern appearance.
The development was required to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, a rigorous sustainability benchmark at the time. Although the Code is now defunct, these requirements are now addressed through Building Control–led sustainability and compliance documentation, ensuring continued alignment with current regulations