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The Aviary granted planning consent at Appeal

16 June 2016

contemporary architects 4

jpa is delighted to announce that The Aviary has been granted consent at Appeal.  The Aviary is the first (and to date, only) project that jpa has submitted for planning under the Paragraph 55 exception of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  Paragraph 55 allows for ‘truly outstanding designs’ and designs that ‘reflect the highest standards in architecture’ - continuing the tradition of the English Country House - to gain planning consent.

In his report, Planning Inspector Paul Jackson wrote:

What makes this project uniquely interesting and innovative in design terms, is the expression of the first floor with a high quality permeable screen of narrow vertical elements which reflects the predominant silver birch trees in the surrounding woods.  The glass reinforced concrete fins would be unsupported at the top and would hide the interior bedrooms and terraces but also reflect the light in different ways depending on the weather and time of day; but at all times being intrinsically linked with and seen against the surrounding trees.  The fins also provide solar shading.  The building would be seen as a contrast and yet a part of the landscape

He continues:

The addition of this building of high quality design, that responds to its location in a way that enhances the ability to appreciate the natural landscape, together with a landscape strategy that seeks to reinforce and enhance the existing woodland, represents a positive benefit and an exemplar of how such development could be carried out.  I conclude that the project satisfies all the tests set out in paragraph 55; and would enhance the character and appearance of the area

The hurdle to achieve consent under paragraph 55 is necessarily high to preserve the Green Belt. That consent has been granted is testimony to the quality and effort that has gone into this application from the whole design team - most notably Landscape Architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, sustainability consultants King Shaw, structural engineers Momentum, visualisation consultants numa.pt and planning consultants PlanIt.

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