Design and Justification Statement

11 00821

Design Statement referred to in Question 20: (please give any information relevant to this application)

Mrs Begbie currently lives alone at "Sloe Cottage" which is a three bedroom bungalow which has been her home for around 15 years. She designed and planted the extensive mature garden surrounding it which she now finds increasingly exhausting to keep on top of, as is the adjacent field which has to be mown and the fences and hedges maintained.

Her son, Ben who is a self-employed Agricultural Contractor, has married recently, and the couple have a 15-month old son and another baby due in August.

Ben's wife has recently developed health problems which have resulted in joint pain and inflammation which currently causes great difficulty for her carrying out normal physical chores such being able to pick up her child, housework and driving, and all of which will become even more problematical once the next child arrives.

Whilst previously his wife had been working full time the pain now excludes this and Ben is now the sole earner. To meet their financial commitments Ben already has to work long hours and due to his wife's illness he also now has to do a lot more housework and care for his son Andrew.

The financial and emotional stress is taking its toll and they cannot continue in this situation indefinitely.

The preferred practical solution for the family which will also provide a more manageable financial situation involves the three generations living together. The proposed extension would provide semi-independent living for Mrs Begbie while Ben and his family would move into the existing accommodation. In this way they can support each other. Mrs Begbie would benefit from their company and their skill and equipment for the general upkeep of the property and its grounds as a whole. And in turn she would be on hand to care for her grand children and to help with household duties.

The design of the proposed extension has evolved based entirely on the personal circumstances and special requirements of this family. The additional accommodation will afford them the opportunity to each live independently whilst at the same time being on hand to help each other out instead of relying on external help be that state or private (in terms of nursing, financial practical or emotional). The garden, laundry facilities, utility and garage would be used jointly.

The original part of the existing bungalow was built in the 1970's and is of poor architectural form. It is a "Kanbar" type construction, finished with concrete roof tiles, painted pebble dash and uPVC casement windows with structural openings and glazing bars of non traditional proportions and a minimal reveal. In general the house is currently well camouflaged from view by the surrounding garden. The property can barely been seen from Ballafayle road. The view of the rear elevation from the opposite side of the valley is also obscured by trees within the garden and these trees are to be retained.

Whilst part of the beech hedge which currently hides the bungalows' gable when it is viewed from the field gateway, on the road above the property would be removed to accommodate the extension, it would be replaced with new screen planting on the new boundary line with the field.

In addition the proposed two storey extension has been designed to disguise the poor form and mass of the existing bungalow. For this reason the style of the new does not replicate that of the bungalow; instead it has been designed to blend into the landscape and garden. The elevations have the proportions of vernacular farm houses and barns of which there are plenty in the locality, and natural materials such as wood and slate have been specified. It is also suggested that windows in the existing bungalow are replaceced with new uPVC ones with more sympathetic glazing bar proportions and symmetrical casement design.

Once the proposed planting of native trees and shrubs are established the property as a whole will be almost invisible once again.

The proposal has been brought about on a "needs must" basis - it is not intended that the original dwelling or extension ever be sold as separate properties.