Success at Planning for Gap Site Development

We’re happy that this great scheme has received planning permission this week!

A gap site on a residential side street in East Oxford, this scheme provides nine 1-bed and 2-bed apartments with easy access to all the amenities of Cowley Road. With adjacent buildings on three sides, the challenge of this site was negotiating the mass of the building against existing openings near the boundaries. The current building on the site defines the maximum heights of the new building, which comprises of two main forms, a two-storey pitched roof form and a three-storey flat roofed section.

The palette of the building is kept simple with a predominantly brick façade, with interest created with reconstituted stone facades and varying planes to the brickwork. The pitched roof is in slate, with the entrance being signposted by zinc standing seam cladding. A car free development, designed to meet the new thermal and energy consumption regulations, this building will be highly sustainable.

Peak District National Park Development Ready For Planning

Thinking Buildings have been working alongside a Derbyshire based developer to bring nine much needed family homes to a small Peak District National Park village.  Part of a wider design team, Thinking Buildings are balancing the developers desire for a contemporary rural aesthetic and strong sustainability agenda with the sensitivity of the National Park setting.

More will follow next month when the scheme goes on public display to local residents as the project progresses through to a full planning application which we hope to be submitted towards the end of the year.

Modern Extension to Traditional Farmhouse

Our latest scheme to be submitted to planning is a lovely minimalist rear extension to a historic farmhouse in Oxfordshire. The glass, zinc and timber clad extension will replace an ageing conservatory. The oversailing and tapering roof edge dramatically floats over the full height sliding glass doors that will connect inside and outdoor spaces. A new patio and formal planter beds complete the look. This project continues our run of work and expanding portfolio involving farmhouses and large higher end luxury homes in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds