[The scheme is] …witty and interesting, and strong in arguing the case for an exceptional and unrepeatable scheme.
Barnsley Urban Renaissance Design Advisory Panel Member
A considered scheme that nestles into its surroundings
Peter and Joanne invited us to design their new Passivhaus home on a plot in the Barnsley green belt. As a result of the site being in an extremely exposed area, we discussed an earth-sheltered design early on. Not only would this protect the house from the elements, but also nestle it into the landscape to reduce its impact on the green belt.
Our design is simple but makes the best use of the site and its surroundings. Peter and Joanne will benefit from a bright, uplifting home with impressive views over the valley despite part of the house buried in the ground.
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A healthy and comfortable home
Indoor air quality is a key priority for Peter and Joanne, so we chose the Passivhaus standard to create the most healthy and comfortable home. It will be a big improvement from the cold and draughty stone cottage they live in.
A modest palette of local stone, timber and zinc will give the building an elegant and understated look that sits well in its landscape.
NPPF 55 Approval
We made use of the NPPF Paragraph 55 policy [Now NPPF 84] to win planning approval. Our rigorous approach to the design and planning process meant we gained planning permission on our first attempt despite the difficulty of this approach. It was the first NPPF 55 approval in South Yorkshire and one of the earliest in the country.
Following planning permission, we worked closely with a structural engineer and other specialists to detail this complex home so Peter could self-build the project himself in his spare time. He hopes to complete the project in 2022.
Without Paul, his team and our planning consultant we wouldn’t have got our planning permission and a design of property that mirrors all our aspirations and the way we want to live in the future.
Peter & Joanne, Self-builders
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