Wharfe Rural Planning were instructed part way through the planning process for the demolition and replacement of a cottage in the open countryside in the Local Planning Authority area of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The original thatched cottage had unfortunately been subject to a serious roof fire and was protected under the scaffold shown in the image below. The property owner wanted to build the replacement dwelling in their preferred location within the mown lawn shown in the foreground of the picture below.

The Council had threaten to refuse the application for the replacement dwelling submitted by the scheme architect as they believed it to be outside the residential curtilage of the original dwelling.   We were then instructed by the property owner to resolve the situation and obtain planning permission in their preferred location.

We prepared and submitted a preparatory planning application with the necessary supporting evidence to prove the boundary of the residential curtilage to set the conditions for the preferred scheme.

We are pleased to report that both planning permissions were then approved which allowed the replacement dwelling to be constructed in our clients preferred position. In regard to size the replacement dwelling was permitted with a 35% increase in floor area over the original dwelling.

We are pleased to report that the replacement dwelling is now completed and provides a substantial property in a prominent position within an attractive setting.