DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT – Plot 2, 23 Brookside, .

DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT Planning Application for Erection of 1 no. New Dwelling 23 Brookside Rearsby

PARKINSON DODSON & CHEUNG Chartered Architects 217 Scraptoft Lane, LE5 2HT t: 0116 2416236 f: 0116 2419068 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT – Plot 2, 23 Brookside, Rearsby.

This design and access statement is to accompany a planning application to Charnwood Borough Council for the proposal to take down barn and erect 1no. residential dwelling at 23 Brookside, Rearsby, Leicestershire. The proposal involves the demolition of a redundant and dilapidated barn and the building of a dwelling within the footprint of the original barn unit.

OVERVIEW

This area of Rearsby is in the centre of the village on the main Leicester-Melton (A607) road and is in North-East Leicestershire, about 7 ½ miles from both towns. It has a population of just under a 1000 and has a number of new housing developments but retains its rural character strong community spirit. The main route through the village is now much quieter following the opening of the Rearsby Bypass and Gaddesby Lane is now a Cul-de-sac. The passes beyond the village at Rearsby Mill and is joined by Rearsby brook at the centre of the village.

Rearsby still retains its Post Office (at its present time), its local primary school and two Public Houses. In terms of its accessibility, the village is well served with regular bus services between Melton and Leicester at every 20 minute intervals, Monday to Saturday and an hourly service on Sundays. There is also a locally based Private Hire Taxi firm within the village. Trains operated by the Ivanhoe Line, also provides regular services between Leicester and from station some 2 miles away from Rearsby.

THE SITE

The site is located on Brookside (adjacent to the Primary School) and which has been allocated the number 23 by Charnwood Borough Council in August 1986

The majority of the site is at present taken up by a redundant barn. The barn foundations are poor being rubble boulders, for this reason, it is proposed to be taken down and materials cleaned, put aside and reused in the new construction, in line with the spirit of policy EV10 where it’s current structure is inadequate to encourage the reuse the existing dwelling.

The site has previously been granted a listed building consent for demolition of the barn (7th August 1986 no. 86/1159/2), and granted full planning permission for the erection of an identical dwelling to that proposed (no. 86/1158/2 dated 7th August 1986 refers).

THE PROPOSAL

The proposal is for clearing the site, and erection of a two storey new dwelling which is within the footprint of demolished barn, that reflects the criteria as set out by Charnwood Borough Council Local Plan policies EV1 and section 4 of the PPG15.

DESIGN ETHOS

1. General

It is intended that the design of the new dwelling bears the characters of the surrounding dwellings to provide a harmonised outlook, reflecting item i), ii), iv), vii) of policy EV1 and paragraph 4.2 of PPG15

 Brick on edge arched lintels are included to windows and doors where appropriate.  Bricks and slates from the demolished barn are to be cleaned up, set aside and reused for the erection of the new dwelling, adding to the character of the building.

PARKINSON DODSON & CHEUNG Chartered Architects 217 Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 2HT t: 0116 2416236 f: 0116 2419068 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT – Plot 2, 23 Brookside, Rearsby.

 Dormer windows with brick face and lead cheeks are incorporated in our design, to match surrounding dwellings  Traditional design windows and doors with dividing bars are intended.  Eaves height at 5m and ridge at 7.5m to match to remaining houses within the close vicinity.  Position of windows are located that overlooking issues into and adjoining buildings are illuminated.

The personal/human scale proportion of the dwelling address the character of its surroundings.

2. Material Uses and External Treatment

The external walls to the proposed dwelling will be constructed in facing bricks to match existing, as well as incorporated original barn structure bricks. Welsh slate will be used as the pitched roof coverings, these conform with item iii) of policy EV1 in the Local Plan.

3. Trees and Landscape

The new private access turning from the adjacent road, will be in a hard surface of pavings. Both front and rear access of the proposed dwelling will receive specimen trees, (paved patio at rear) and remaining garden will be turf. The selection of the specimen trees will take precedent from its immediate surroundings in order to blend in with the established residential environment. This, one believes, conforms with item vi) of policy EV1.

4. Layout

The design of the unit reflects the government policy and item viii) of EV1 of Charnwood Borough Councils Local Plan, in promoting the concept of a life-time home with retirement issues being incorporated, including ground floor toilet facilities and raised power outlets etc. in accordance to the requirements as outlined in Part M of the building regulations. The internal layout design provides opportunity for the conversion of the dinning room, utility room to a ground floor disabled compliant en-suite bedroom if required, should mobility of the owner becomes an issue.

5. Design out Crime. The proposal seeks to utilise a Brownfield, redundant site to create a single dwelling which minimises vandalism and anti-social behaviour that might have had attracted due to it’s redundancy. Good quality doors and windows will be carefully installed and amend possible break-ins. All these design details are made in accordance to item ix) of EV1.

ACCESS

1. Highway Issues

We do not envisage any highway issues with respect to the additional vehicular volume entering to the public highway to Brookside as the scheme had received previous approvals. Four off street parking spaces will be provided in the form of a two car double attached garage with hard-standing.

The area arrangement to the front of the dwelling allows for turning within the site, so vehicles can exit out in a forward direction.

2. Disabled Access

The site is generally level and therefore does not have disabled access issue. All the entrance doors will have level access.

PARKINSON DODSON & CHEUNG Chartered Architects 217 Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 2HT t: 0116 2416236 f: 0116 2419068 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT – Plot 2, 23 Brookside, Rearsby.

CARBON ISSUES

The construction of the new dwelling will conform to the latest building regulations: Thermal and natural ventilation performance will be provided to meet these standards and comply with acceptable SAP rating. Energy efficient heating system will be used. Insulation to the external will be above the limit of the proposed requirement. Low energy lighting will be included. These finishing standards ensure these proposed dwellings to have low carbon footprint at post-construction stage in accordance to the spirit of the implemented PPS1.

We will specify that the proposed building materials to be sourced from local manufacturer, for example facing bricks; block works from Interfuse of Syston, insulation from British Gypsum and ready mixed concrete from Lafarge of Mountsorrel, to reduce the carbon footprint in transportation at pre-construction stages.

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PARKINSON DODSON & CHEUNG Chartered Architects 217 Scraptoft Lane, Leicester LE5 2HT t: 0116 2416236 f: 0116 2419068