Help With House Plans

Fiona4037

Hi,

I am currently in the process of having house plans drawn up to apply for planning permission. We are looking to renovate and extend an approx 300 year old cottage. After consultation with our local planning officer he has told us he would see no problem with us getting planning permission, as long as the proposed plans are "sympathetic" and maintain the "character" of the existing building. He has also said he would not allow the extension to be visible from the front and suggests a double parallel line.

After consultation with a local architect we have received the following draft design. I am just looking for any opinions on the layout of the house as although we are happy we appear to be having commitment issues!! We have asked to have the sitting room in that current position as we would love to keep the existing fireplace (i have attached a pic of the same fireplace in the house next door) but are conscious that it limits us on the placement of the rooms.



Thanks in Advance,
Fiona

BryanF

No north point? No connection of living spaces? Don't feel like doing your architects job good night

DanGalway

It all depends on the north point, as BryanF pointed out.

Im going to pick a needle out of a haystack with this one; assuming the front of the house faces north, i would suggest the following:

- Add a small porch to the side; i assume your main entrance / front door will be to the side? (As a draught lobby against wind entering the main hall when you open the door).
- I would have the whole back extension as a large open plan Kitchen / Dining / Living Area with the Bedroom changed to a Kitchen, Utility changed to a Dining Area and the Kitchen changed to the large Living Area
- Change Bathroom to a Utility Room
- Change Hot Press to a Wet Shower Room accessed off Hall and En Suite off front Bedroom.
- Keep front Sitting Room as is.
- Fit in Hot Press somewhere on Ground Floor; a large one to double up as a Plant Room for Services.
- Move Stairs closer to front door (to side).
- Upstairs: Increase Bedrooms from Two to Three (Hate broken layouts with eg. Parents upstairs, Kids downstairs etc).
- Walk in Wardrobe & En Suite off Master Bedroom.
- Linen Store.
- Large Bathroom upstairs or else make all Bedrooms En Suite.

Design rule:
- Kitchen to east, Living Areas to south & west. Utility/Beds/Baths to north.

Not a big fan of the elevations to be honest, i think a more clean line modern extension would suit better, eg. no box eaves. Lots of glass to the southern-western elevations. Possibly a two storey link inbetween with a flat roof possibly?

Thats my opinion, it all depends on your budget and taste, and of course the north point!