Ivy Cottage

RIBA Stage: 0-3 (Concept Design & Planning)

Project Value: £300k

Sector: Commercial Developer - Residential

A redundant agricultural oak framed barn in South Warnborough had a long history of planning refusals and a negative pre-application response, which left it with an uncertain future and little obvious value for the landowner. For a developer or land promoter, a rural site like this carries real risk, and it needs an architect who can see a way through the planning issues rather than repeat the approaches that have already failed.

We have designed a proposal to convert and extend the barn into a two bedroom home, retaining the character of the oak frame and its agricultural heritage while creating a practical, comfortable layout for modern living. Our approach draws on a track record of successful rural barn conversion approvals and a flexible design process, where we study the reasons behind earlier refusals, anticipate the concerns a planning officer is likely to raise, and design them out of the scheme from the start rather than defending them at appeal.

The scheme is now being taken forward for planning, with a design that responds directly to the site's history and its countryside setting. For developers and landowners looking for a Hampshire architect experienced in agricultural building conversions, rural dwellings and difficult planning sites, this project shows how a flexible, planning led approach can give a stalled opportunity a credible route forward.