Plan for house at prominent roadside spot passed

Permission has been given for an innovative design of house at a prominent Herefordshire spot.

Local firm Riverside Construction applied in July to build a three-bedroom, single-storey house with a pitched green roof in the grounds of Holmer House farmhouse immediately by the A49 north of Hereford.

The roots of the surrounding mature trees would be protected by basing the house on “screw pile” foundations, made possible by employing a lightweight timber frame and cladding, contrasting between charred and natural finishes.

It was to be powered by both an air source heat pump and solar panels.

An independent heritage report on the impact on the grade II listed farmhouse concluded the house design was “not overly dominant and provides an attractive gateway into the existing development site”.

Holmer & Shelwick Parish Council objected to it, which it said was “not in keeping with other properties in the local area”.

But the council’s principal building conservation officer was “generally supportive” of the scheme, while the measures to protect the trees satisfied the council’s tree officer.

Its environmental health officer said that given the nearness to the busy trunk road, desirable internal noise levels “are unlikely to be achieved with windows open”, even with a two-metre high perimeter fence, but would be “with windows closed and alternative ventilation”.

Planning officer Adam Lewis concluded that scheme “has responded to the considerable constraints of the site with a high quality design which ensures any potential for harm is mitigated to acceptable levels”.

Full planning permission was granted.