DESIGN, ACCESS, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL and HERITAGE STATEMENT

Hedge Corner House, Road, Privett, Alton, GU34 3PP

Contents:

1. Introduction 2. Heritage and Location 3. The Site and Existing Property 4. Planning History 5. The Proposal and Design 6. Environment 7. Energy and Safety 8. Access 9. Attachments

1. Introduction:

This Design, Access, Energy & Environmental statement is in support of a planning application on behalf of Mr& Mrs M Smith, of Hedge Corner House, Petersfield Rd. Privett, Alton, . GU34 3PP.

The application seeks full planning permission to refurbish and extend the existing house to create a family home, in keeping with the rural character of the area and to meet todays’ needs and requirements.

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Fig. 1: Taken from EHDC Interactive Map. Position of Hedge Corner House sold to the client in 2020 by the farmer of Hedge Corner Farm adjacent. Boundary of property outlined.

2. Heritage and Location:

Privett is a small village in The South Downs National Park in the district of Hampshire, . It is 5 miles northwest of Petersfield, just off the A272 road. It is in the of Froxfield and Privett. The nearest mainline railway station is either at Petersfield or Alton.

The South Downs National Park is England's newest national park. It was designated in 2010. The park covers an area of approximately 1,627 square kilometres in the south of England and stretches for 140 kilometres from in the west to Eastbourne in the east through the counties of Hampshire, West and . Privett is a rural area located on raised ground and surrounded by farmland. The clusters of buildings are linked together by narrow single lanes bounded by high hedgerows and flint and brick walls. The village area of Privett was identified for consideration of designation as a Conservation Area in the Heritage Action Plan 1997- 2002 and following consultation the Privett Conservation Area was then designated on 9th November 2000.

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3. The Site and Existing Property:

Hedge Corner House, being 3 miles outside the village, is not within the Conservation Area but is within the South Downs National Park. The property which lies just off the A32 at the junction with the Petersfield Road was built in the late 1940’s as a farm house for the adjacent farm and sits on a plot of approximately 0.25 acres with a long narrow front drive. It was built on Basing House land that was divided and sold to local farmers following the war. It is not a house designated as of local or historic importance or of a heritage asset and has no important features. Most recently it was home to the farmer’s parents. The property was then purchased in 2020 by Mr and Mrs Smith as a long-term family home for them and their 2 small children. It did have an agricultural tie but that has been officially removed. The property has not been properly maintained or improved since it was constructed and it still languishes in the 1950’s. The official Energy Efficiency Rating is extremely poor at “F” and the Environmental Impact (CO2) Rating is the worst it could possibly be at “G”. The property is obviously in need of a major refurbishment

Fig.2: Position of Hedge Corner House just off A32

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Fig.3: aerial view of Hedge Corner House showing long drive and outline of property boundary hedges

Fig.4: View of Hedge Corner House from the Petersfield Road

4. Planning History:

SDNP/18/05396/MPO: Deed of variation of a section 106 Agreement to remove the occupancy restrictions from the property at Hedge Corner Farm House, Petersfield Road, Hampshire GU34 3PP

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Fig.5: Viewing looking at front of house from north-east

Fig.6: View of garage area to be replaced with 2 storey side extension

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Fig.7: View of side/rear of house looking from west

Fig.8: View of external condition of existing roof

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Fig.9: View of side of existing garage to be replaced and boundary hedge to be upgraded

5. The Proposal and Design:

The new extension to the dwelling has been carefully designed to fit into this rural setting and reflect some of the design features of the existing building while giving it a slightly more contemporary style. The scale, design and proportions are sympathetic to the characteristic form of the existing house. Moreover, the design of this proposal, combined with the selection of construction materials helps to harmonise with the existing and the agricultural area without harm to the character of the Conservation Area. The additions and alterations being made to a building also respect the overall design and proportion of the elevation and levels.

The great sense of open space around the property have been retained. The important views within, into and out of the area of the property are conserved; the existing trees and other landscape features contributing to the character and appearance of the immediate area are retained. The existing boundary fences and hedge lines will also be retained and enhanced with new planting. With regard to SDNP Policy SD31, the proposed new floor area of the main house does not exceed the requirement of 30% (35% in certain cases) of the floor area of the original building.

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The restored, modernised and extended property will provide 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms at first floor with a kitchen/family room, 3 reception rooms, a WC, a utility and an attached single garage on the ground floor. The existing building will be fully renovated with new wiring, plumbing, heating system and insulation to meet the current Building Regulation criteria. The windows and doors will be replaced with energy efficient units. The leaking roof which is in a very poor state of repair will be replaced. It also has blown tiles and is heavily coated in moss, as evident from the attached photographs. The existing attached garage, WC and lobby/utility will be removed. This building is only single skin in construction, with no working damp proof membrane and no insulation to the walls, floor or roof. The roof to the garage, WC and corridor area is asbestos. This dangerous material will be removed by a specialist contractor. The proposal will provide decent habitable accommodation specifically for Mr and Mrs Smith and their very new family. The proposal optimises the integration of the modern new with the old, achieves functionality, energy efficiency, a low carbon footprint and will have minimal impact on the character of the area.

6. Environment:

To the far corner of the rear garden and well away from the proposal, is a large oak tree. This tree will be subject to an Arboricultural Assessment Report by Dr Martin Dobson to detail how it will be protected during the construction period. An initial bat survey was carried out and evidence of bat occupation was found. A report by Plan Ecology Ltd. Is attached to this application. The very sparce and unkept hedging on the boundaries will be upgraded and replanted where necessary to improve the natural aspects of the garden. The garden will be sectioned into a vegetable area and borders with moisture retaining plants to help reduce rainwater run-off towards the house.

A water harvesting system will be installed to collect water for watering the garden. Rainwater will go to proven soakaways within the garden and foul water will be to an existing septic tank which will be upgraded as necessary.

A Bio-diversity Checklist is enclosed with this application along with an Ecosystems Services Statement Form in accordance with SDNP Policy (Core Policy SD2).

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7. Energy & Safety:

The property has extremely poor energy and CO2 ratings. The insulation of the existing and new works will exceed that stipulated in the current Building Regulations. The proposal will vastly improve the energy rating of the property and significantly reduce its overall carbon footprint and energy waste.

All the windows, doors and the lantern light will either be double or triple glazed with argon gas filled voids. The new cavity walls will be fully insulated, as will be the small flat roof area. Heating and hot water will be installed to meet the current requirement of the Building Regulations.

Fire safety will be improved by the instillation of a dedicated alarm, smoke and heat detection system throughout the house. Carbon monoxide alarms will also be fitted where required.

8. Access:

Access to the property is via an existing macadam drive off the Petersfield Road terminating in a car parking and turning area. Vehicles are able to enter and leave the property in a forward gear. There is adequate parking on site for in excess of 4 vehicles. There is no requirement to alter this arrangement.

Internally the house will be at a singular level at ground floor, without steps or encumbrances to aid ambulant disabled use. Corridors and door openings will meet with current regulations with regard to width and space.

9. Attachments:

Stage 1 Bat Report (Stage 2 Bat report to follow to suit breeding season) Ecosystem Services statement Biodiversity Checklist form Community Infrastructure Levy form Arboriculturist Report

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