03.21.2023 Planning granted for three new sustainable homes on Green Belt site

Planning permission has been granted for three new sustainable houses, including a three-bed detached house and a pair of three-bed semi-detached houses in Great Hallingbury, Essex. We are especially excited about this because the site is on the edge of the designated Green belt. The designs also include seven parking spaces, access and landscaping.

As the site is almost at the end of the runway at Stansted Airport, we will need to add acoustic enhancements to the windows. Meanwhile, to improve the eco credentials of the build, we have included photovoltaic (solar) panels on the roofs and air source heat pumps. As we move to the detailed design phase, which we have been appointed to coordinate, we will be taking a closer look at how we can incorporate design elements that will make sure the houses don’t overheat.

Approval for the designs was granted following the appeal process. The main issues were whether the character and appearance of the countryside setting of the site and its surroundings would be affected. The appeal inspector noted that the character of the site was only semi-rural in character and that the design is in fact reflected in the character of the surrounding houses.  Watch this space!