Heritage Statement Householder Planning Approval for a rear extension to Red Gables East, Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 9NT

1.0 The Proposal This Heritage and Design & Access Statement (DHAS) has been prepared to form part of a householder planning application for the erection of a single storey rear kitchen extension to Red Gables East, which is a semi-detached dwelling to the north of Cotherstone.

2.0 The Local Context

The site lies within the Cotherstone Conservation Area. Cotherstone is a small settlement in Teesdale and is a fine example of the type of villages which are centred around a green, found in Teesdale and the wider area.

Cotherstone is a village and civil parish in Teesdale, County Durham and has a population of around 600. The village lies within the historic county boundaries of the North Riding of Yorkshire but, along with the former Startforth Rural District, it was transferred to County Durham for administrative and ceremonial purposes on 1 April 1974, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972. There was a railway station at Cotherstone on the now closed Barnard Castle to Middleton-in- Teesdale line. The railway line crossed the River Balder at the Balder Viaduct just north of Cotherstone.

Cotherstone is an attractive village with varying architectural styles ranging from modest terraced cottages to larger detached properties. The village green is surrounded by dwellings and has a small stream running through it. Houses are predominantly stone built, many with bay windows as a common feature. Roof coverings in the area are mainly of blue or stone slate.

2.1 The Site & Surroundings

The site is to the north of the village at the junction of Briscoe Lane and the B6277 and has a total site area of 2130m2. Red Gables East is a four-bedroom semi-detached, three storey house built circa 1900. It is constructed from traditional coursed stone, with red Rosemary tiles to the roof with timber doors & a mixture of sliding sash & casement timber windows. There is a double garage and a small, modern annex bungalow to the west of the property. There are mature trees around the site, though none will be affected by this proposal.

The proposed site does not lie within a flood plain – referenced from the Environmental Agency website.

4.0 The Proposal

4.1 Site Layout

The existing access will be retained and unaltered. There is a double garage and ample room for several cars to park including visitors and people using the bungalow. The proposal partly infills a set back part of the ground floor to the rear of the property.

Figure 1: Site entrance Figure 2: Front / side elevation.

Figure 3: Side elevation – proposed position of extension.

4.2 Appearance

It is proposed that the extension is constructed from traditional coursed stone, a flat roof using single ply membrane with a lantern light, timber Georgian style doors & sash windows finished in Chartwell Green, with stone sills to the windows. The window proportions are sympathetic with the dwelling and the vernacular. Guttering & downpipes will be black. 450mm coursed stone walls with stone copings will delineate the area in front of the extension. It can therefore be seen that this is a sympathetic response to the host building and will enhance the overall appearance.

4.3 Scale

The proposal is single storey with a flat roof, therefore has little impact on the scale of the dwelling.

5.0 Access

The existing dwelling is accessed from a junction of Briscoe Lane, which is accessed from the B6277.

6.0 Landscaping: There are a number of mature and small trees on the site, all of which will be retained. The landscaping is established and does not form part of this application.

7.0 Impact on the asset:

The proposal is not visible from any main road or footpath and, as such, will have a negligible impact on the asset.

7.0 Conclusion

The intention is to create a high-quality addition to Red Gables East.

The proposal will not have an adverse impact on neighbouring properties and planning distances are not an issue in this instance. There is no loss of privacy nor overshadowing of the annex bungalow.

The design complies with local and national policies and is a sympathetic response to its context and locale. It is contended that the proposal will enhance the character and make a positive contribution to the Cotherstone Conservation Area.

Andrew Duckworth DIP ARCH. RIBA, Chartered Architect