New-build link-detached mews houses

This scheme, located behind one of the principal shopping streets in Crowborough town centre, sought to provide three sustainably-located high-quality town centre homes.

The site had a variety of constraints and had had several failed planning applications by other parties, which ultimately led to the sale of the site to Dwell’s client. With success on a similar backland residential scheme on a neighbouring plot, Dwell was appointed by the new owners to develop a fresh viable scheme, albeit with limited expectations given the two previous refusals for two different approaches to providing extra residential units on the site.

The site is defined by a key public right of way which connects the main town parking area to the high street shops. Despite its importance this is a dark overgrown footpath reliant on signage to indicate its status as a core pedestrian route. Dwell’s strategy proposed a series of improvements to this link which would benefit the town, as an anchor to support the desired housing development.

The resultant proposal is a bespoke, site-specific design response to the opportunities and constraints identified during early site analysis work, re-inventing terraced housing with contemporary link-detached homes. In order to maximise engagement with the local planning authority, the concept design developed through an early feasibility study was tabled for pre-application consultation with Wealden District Council planners.

The subsequent planning application was supported with extensive research, addressing the perceived impact that the scheme may have had on daylight and sunlight access to existing buildings, as well as detailed ecologicial surveys, and a deft planning argument prepared by our planning consultant.

The scheme provides three well-appointed 3-bedroom terraced houses, each with private rear gardens and dedicated parking. Constrained by the site dimensions and with a need to meet minimum amenity space requirements, roof terrace gardens are provided at first floor level. The Council has issued its approval in principle, pending completion of a Section 106 formal legal agreement.