LYNCARIAN
Sitting on a beautiful lane in Leighton Buzzard, this large plot with existing family home was ripe for development. But with complex planning and environmental factors involved, it wasn’t straight forward to add an additional property to the site. Read on for details.
LYNCARIAN
Sitting on a beautiful lane in Leighton Buzzard, this large plot with existing family home was ripe for development. But with complex planning and environmental factors involved, it wasn’t straight forward to add an additional property to the site. Read on for details.
LYNCARIAN
Sitting on a beautiful lane in Leighton Buzzard, this large plot with existing family home was ripe for development. But with complex planning and environmental factors involved, it wasn’t straight forward to add an additional property to the site. Read on for details.
BACKGROUND
Originally built by a property developer, Lyncarian (named after the developer’s 3 children), sits at the end of a lane and the start of a Bridleway. It’s unique position created an issue over the right of access to the site, which made it difficult for the family to sell when the original owners passed away.
Bridleways are some of the most protected pieces of land in the country and although the conveyancing solicitors we spoke to could not prove that you had a right of way onto the site, we studied the law on Bridleways to try and find a solution.
The law states that it is illegal to drive a motorised vehicle along a Bridleway, but the next sentence in the road traffic act says that you are allowed to drive a motorised vehicle over the first 15 yards of a Bridleway, in order to gain access to your property.
Combined with an indemnity policy we had from the previous owners stating that they had used the access for over 55 years (and had therefore established a right of way to the site), we were in a position to take the development forwards.
PLANNING CHALLENGES
Lyncarian has the smallest house on the biggest plot, along this very affluent road. Our initial plan was to build two 4 bedroom houses in the rear garden of the property, but it came to light that the local council have a back land development policy which prevented us from doing so.
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We altered our plans (following a pre-app submission) to design a large 2,500 sq. ft. 5 bedroom home, to the left of the existing property.
Along with our submission for the new property, our planning application covered professional highway reports, topological and ecology surveys, and planning to create parking in front of the existing property.
It was important for us to keep local neighbours up-to-date and involved in our ideas for the site. We installed an information board to explain our development plans and our priorities for local environmental factors.
,
We plan to refurbish the existing property at the same time as the new development, so both properties can be sold after works are completed.
PLANNING CHALLENGES
Lyncarian has the smallest house on the biggest plot, along this very affluent road. Our initial plan was to build two 4 bedroom houses in the rear garden of the property, but it came to light that the local council have a back land development policy which prevented us from doing so.
We altered our plans (following a pre-app submission) to design a large 2,500 sq. ft. 5 bedroom home, to the left of the existing property.
Along with our submission for the new property, our planning application covered professional highway reports, topological and ecology surveys, and planning to create parking in front of the existing property.
It was important for us to keep local neighbours up-to-date and involved in our ideas for the site. We installed an information board to explain our development plans and our priorities for local environmental factors.
,
We plan to refurbish the existing property at the same time as the new development, so both properties can be sold after works are completed.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Located on the edge of the settlement boundry of Leighton Buzzard, the property has a golf course to it’s left, and a seven acre woodland (Knolls Wood) next to the Bridleway, which is very popular with local dog walkers.
Through the planning process and via the information board, we had lots of suggestions from locals which we incorporated into our development plans. For example, instead of a brick driveway we chose an Eco-Deck driveway which allows grass to grow through a plastic hexagonal frame. This gives a great parking area with grass covering, which is more fitting with the neighbouring woods and golf course.
We are also Installing a Hiberniculum (based on a Stumpery – a Stumpery is made with tree stumps as opposed to a rockery made out of rocks). The Hiberniculum allows bugs and insects to hibernate over the winter months – which helps with our bio diversity rating.
We will be planting hundreds of tree whips which will eventually grow into hedges and trees. All of the chosen species are British Native, such as Rowan, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Beech, Hazel, Crab Apple and Elder, as advised by the Woodland Trust.
Latest News: We are delighted to update you that we have just won approval on our planning application as of February 2024. We look forward to getting the project underway.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Located on the edge of the settlement boundry of Leighton Buzzard, the property has a golf course to it’s left, and a seven acre woodland (Knolls Wood) next to the Bridleway, which is very popular with local dog walkers.
Through the planning process and via the information board, we had lots of suggestions from locals which we incorporated into our development plans. For example, instead of a brick driveway we chose an Eco-Deck driveway which allows grass to grow through a plastic hexagonal frame. This gives a great parking area with grass covering, which is more fitting with the neighbouring woods and golf course.
We are also Installing a Hiberniculum (based on a Stumpery – a Stumpery is made with tree stumps as opposed to a rockery made out of rocks). The Hiberniculum allows bugs and insects to hibernate over the winter months – which helps with our bio diversity rating.
We will be planting hundreds of tree whips which will eventually grow into hedges and trees. All of the chosen species are British Native, such as Rowan, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Beech, Hazel, Crab Apple and Elder, as advised by the Woodland Trust.
Latest News: We are delighted to update you that we have just won approval on our planning application as of February 2024. We look forward to getting the project underway.