Works are well underway on a series of projects on a large privately owned estate in Somerset. This is the smallest of the projects, being a former 2-up, 2-down cottage that is being fully renovated and extended to provide a modern 3-bed house.

The cottage had been empty for a number of years, and there were several unsympathetic, low quality lean-to additions that required removal. So the first few weeks of the build have been spent demolishing and striping back and setting up the bones of the future house. Reconstruction is well underway now, and the benefit of the new extensions can begin to be seen. The proposals include a two storey side extension to provide two new bedrooms (the smallest first floor room is to become a family bathroom) and to the rear a single storey kitchen extension to maximise the living space.

This project is located in the Exmoor National Park and so despite being a modest scheme has had to be carefully considered to be suitable for this beautiful and sensitive site. Thinking Buildings have designed a appropriate response that gained the support of the Park planning authority. It’s great to see a unloved building being brought back into proper use.