New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
New Build Home, East Kent
Client Brief
Currently in progress – last updated November 2023
We were approached by the original site owners some years ago to see if we could create and submit a planning application for them to knock down an old brick workshop in their garden and construct a new home, which they planned to sell on. The application was successful but after a couple of years, the owners put the site on the market as they were unable to progress the project due to moving away for work purposes. After organising a site valuation with Jake Sauvage at Hunters Estate Agents we then intended to purchase the site as a development project for the company, but instead decided to take it forward with a client who had bought the site instead.
The brief was to create a four-bedroom detached family home.
The Project
The site is a good size plot, around 14 x 60 metres in a fairly rural location, outside of a village, and overlooking fields. Although planning permission had already been granted, our clients had some additional ideas they wanted to incorporate. We resubmitted the plans and had some ongoing discussions with the local authority to maximise the potential of the plot. There’s been compromise, as is often the case with planning applications; for example, we applied to add rooms to the roof but this did not achieve planning consent, so we adjusted the internal layouts on the ground and first floors to best suit requirements. However, our client is happy with the new plans and equally, it satisfies the planners.
We often build timber framed houses, but we agreed with our client to use traditional ‘brick and block’; it makes more sense economically on this particular build, plus it fits with the look and materials used in the surrounding properties.
Challenges
There were some outbuildings that contained asbestos which had to be professionally removed by our approved contractors, AllAboutAsbestos. We understand that for some clients, asbestos can ring alarm bells, but as we always explain at the start of a project, it is very common in many old buildings and therefore something we account for in our planning. Rather than a ‘challenge’ it’s very much an everyday occurrence that we anticipate and is easily resolved by working with the correct professionals, as was the case here.
We will update with more information on challenges as the build progresses.
Outcome
At present, we are at the very early stages of the project – the build is at slab level, the drainage is fitted, the subfloor is in, and the bricks are on order, but we are looking forward to completion in early 2024.
What the client said…
“We wanted to make some changes to the original design, to create a home more suitable to our personal tastes and lifestyle. We juggled the bedrooms around, made the utility room bigger, moved the window positions and generally made minor tweaks to make it a more ‘useable’ home for our family needs. We had to resubmit the planning applications but that went through successfully.
So far, we’ve only just finished the groundwork so it’s a work in progress, but we know what the layout and sizes of the room will be.
Being a new build rather than a conversion, it’s a very sequential process – the team at Vernacular Homes has scheduled the different tradespeople in and kept us to a smooth timeline.
We have been taken through various designs and updated at every stage. No stone has been left unturned – we have discussed things like electrical layouts, kitchen design, how the house will be used – to make sure it really works for everyday living.
We have a planned pause in the project until the second week of January, and my focus for the moment is making any final design decisions by Christmas. I’m picky and they all know that at Vernacular, but they are very accommodating, always listen and everything is going well. I’m looking forward to seeing the house completed.”
Our views on the project…
“Being able to amend designs so that we are building a home that will suit the requirements and lifestyle of our client is what we are all about. Building a new home is such a fantastic opportunity and we are progressing well so far, taking the client through all of the design options carefully to ensure the finished home is perfect for him and his family.”