Whaleback

🏡 Appeal Allowed: New Dwelling in Danehill 🏆 We have won a long-running appeal in Wealden District (APP/C1435/W/24/3345361). A major contention was it's location outside of the settlement boundary, with a quirk that Danehill doesn't have a settlement boundary, and Wealden doesn't have a five year housing land supply (so any boundary would be out of date anyway).    The Inspector agreed with us that Danehill is nevertheless a sustainable settlement, the new house is well-designed and sits in an acceptable context (surrounded by existing houses).   Key Findings: ✅ Housing Land Supply Shortfall – Wealden District Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply (plus 5% buffer) as per new NPPF 11d so the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies. ✅ Sustainable Location – Danehill is a sustainable settlement well-served by local facilities. The Inspector emphasised that in rural areas, accessibility should be assessed pragmatically, including available public transport (I would direct you to NPPF 110 for context). ✅ Efficient Use of Land – Recognising the value of small and medium-sized sites, the Inspector found the scheme positively contributes to housing needs while maintaining the prevailing character of the High Weald National Landscape.   The Planning Balance Although the proposal conflicted with some local policies, the Inspector concluded that any adverse impacts "did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits" justifying the grant of permission. This case emphasises the importance of a pragmatic approach to planning decisions, taking real-world circumstances into account and ensuring housing is delivered in sustainable locations - even in rural areas. #wealden #PlanningAppeal #HousingSupply #SustainableDevelopment #HighWeald #RuralPlanning #TownPlanning #ConservationAreas #NPPF

Whaleback, in collaboration with architect Ben Ingham-Thomas, has secured planning permission for the careful restoration of a listed historic barn and the replacement of its associated mid-twentieth-century cow shed, both of which had suffered from neglect. The barn will be sensitively restored to preserve its original character, while the 1958 cow shed—considered by the South Downs National Park Authority as a non-designated heritage asset—was, in our view, somewhat overstated in its significance. However, after constructive discussions with the officers, we agreed that demolition and replacement would be acceptable, provided the new structure was of appropriate character and design quality. The replacement extension is a contemporary design that references the utilitarian nature of the original shed. It incorporates vertical oak cladding, a standing seam roof, and carefully positioned picture windows to take full advantage of the breathtaking views. The engagement with the officers was both positive and productive, and we look forward to sharing images of the completed project in due course. #ContemporaryArchitecture #HeritageRestoration #Extension #SustainableDesign #Oak #ArchitecturalDesign #Farm #HistoricBuildings #BuildingConservation #Architecture #Contemporary #NationalPark

Merry Christmas to colleagues, clients, collaborators and contacts! We are working until Christmas Eve then closed until 2nd Jan. The Whaleback Team Xmas Do was held in Arundel this year, a lovely historic town in the middle of our patch with some cosy pubs and restaurants to make it a great day.

One of our favourite projects of 2024 received permission this week from Mid Sussex District Council, a wonderful new addition to the Grade II* Listed Park and Gardens at Borde Hill including an Eco Lodge on the lake for community, health and wellbeing use. We can't wait to support its delivery as part of the 'Reinventing Borde Hill' project https://lnkd.in/eBx-aZB6

Solar Projects – The 2024 Draft NPPF increased its support for solar projects (para 164 told LPAs to "give significant weight to the proposal's contribution to renewable energy generation and a net zero future" and "recognise that even small-scale and community-led projects provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions”.   Our experience has been that applications are resisted on grounds of visual amenity without giving "significant weight" to the environmental benefits.    Solar PV alone cannot be the silver bullet for cutting carbon emissions in the UK with its sub-optimal weather conditions but it is surely a critical component. We would like to see LPAs welcome and encourage Solar PV and attribute “significant weight” to the benefits as required.   Should there also be more solar permitted development rights, for householders or commercial sites? And should protected landscapes restrict or rejoice when dealing with solar projects?

Nestled within the pastoral serenity of the South Downs National Park, Nithurst Farm is a work of singular intensity, conceived by Adam Richards Architects as both a family home and an architectural manifesto. We had the privilege of contributing to its planning process, an exercise as layered and intricate as the building itself. The house defies facile categorisation. Its stepped cubic volumes, clad in patterned brick and pierced with arched openings, evoke a lineage stretching from Palladio to Vanbrugh, while its uncompromising interiors resonate with the austere poise of a mausoleum. Yet this is no mere homage; rather, it is an architecture of synthesis, where references to classical antiquity, baroque exuberance, and cinematic surrealism are subsumed into an intensely personal vision. The newly published Here We Are, Home At Last unpacks the building’s dense web of ideas with essays by Geoff Dyer, Takero Shimazaki, Jeremy Musson, and Corinna Dean. Their reflections reveal a house that transcends its function, engaging with themes of memory, mortality, and the very essence of inhabitation. Available now from Lund Humphries (£45). #Architecture #Heritage #Design #Planning Adam Richards Architects

Nestled within the pastoral serenity of the South Downs National Park, Nithurst Farm is a work of singular intensity, conceived by Adam Richards Architects as both a family home and an architectural manifesto. We had the privilege of contributing to its planning process, an exercise as layered and intricate as the building itself. The house defies facile categorisation. Its stepped cubic volumes, clad in patterned brick and pierced with arched openings, evoke a lineage stretching from Palladio to Vanbrugh, while its uncompromising interiors resonate with the austere poise of a mausoleum. Yet this is no mere homage; rather, it is an architecture of synthesis, where references to classical antiquity, baroque exuberance, and cinematic surrealism are subsumed into an intensely personal vision. The newly published Here We Are, Home At Last unpacks the building’s dense web of ideas with essays by Geoff Dyer, Takero Shimazaki, Jeremy Musson, and Corinna Dean. Their reflections reveal a house that transcends its function, engaging with themes of memory, mortality, and the very essence of inhabitation. Available now from Lund Humphries (£45). #Architecture #Heritage #Design #Planning Adam Richards Architects

Huge congratulations to Molly McLean MRTPI on her promotion to Associate! Molly is an exceptional planner who has been instrumental in delivering a diverse range of projects for Whaleback —from bespoke residential developments to new community facilities and farm diversification. Her expertise, dedication, and collaborative approach make her an invaluable team member. We’re excited to see her thrive in this well-deserved new role and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll continue to make. #whaleback #teamsuccess #promotion #planningexcellence #congratulations

We have secured planning permission to convert a tennis court to a Padel Court in SDNPA at appeal. The existing tennis court forms part of a residential garden in the South Downs National Park, and is in the setting of a Conservation Area. The inspector agreed with our appraisal of the limited visual impact of the proposal, surmising: The extent of development is very limited; there would be very limited visual intrusion; and there would be mitigation by way of a reduction in the overall extent built development compared to the existing tennis court. This accords broadly with Paragraph 182 of the Framework and would conserve the landscape character of the SDNP so would amount to furthering its purposes. This application is representative of the rapid increase in popularity of Padel which is now estimated to boast over 25 million active players in over 110 countries; making it a truly global phenomenon. Padel courts are smaller than traditional tennis courts, allowing for a more efficient use of space and the sport itself places less stress on players bodies than other similar sports (tennis, squash, hockey, etc). Comparatively, Padel complements a healthy lifestyle with a lower risk of ankle, back and shoulder injuries. Padel, a relatively new sport that has been gaining rapid traction globally, is a hybrid of tennis and squash, played on a smaller court enclosed by glass walls. It combines the speed and strategy of tennis with the precision and control of squash. Players use solid paddles, similar to those used in pickleball, to hit a perforated rubber ball over a net. Padel's origins can be traced back to Mexico in the 1960s, where it was initially introduced as a recreational activity. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that Padel began to gain popularity in Spain, where it quickly became a national obsession. The sport's popularity in Spain has since spread to other parts of Europe, South America, and beyond. Find your nearest court with the LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION LIMITED interactive map: https://lnkd.in/erWE3urg #PadelCourt #PlanningAppeal #SouthDownsNationalPark #Landscape #PlanningPermission #PadelCourtConversion #PlanningAppealSuccess #SustainableDevelopment #HealthAndWellness #LawnTennisAssociations

We are pleased to see that Randell Design Group have been granted planning permission to extend a fascinating Victorian country house. Whaleback undertook a thorough appraisal of the house before design work began, uncovering a history of piecemeal additions and recognising the extensive use of English Bond brickwork, an unusually late example of the style. We advised that removing the lower-quality additions and introducing a bold, contemporary extension would best celebrate the home's historic core. Randell Design have skillfully balanced the form and mass of the extension with the house, creating an elegant addition that reveals the original brickwork through stunning internal feature walls. #heritagedesign #victorianarchitecture #historicrestoration #architecturaldesign #heritagerevival #englishbondbrickwork #contemporaryarchitecture #architecturalheritage #designinspiration  #houseextension