Brookside, Farnham

Overview

This project in Farnham involved assisting a homeowner who had encountered significant difficulties with a previous designer. Due to an error in the forms that had been submitted to planning, the client was facing an unexpected and substantial Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge, a costly outcome arising from a technicality rather than the nature of the proposal itself.

Approach

To resolve the issue, we developed an alternative scheme suitable for submission under a Section 73 application. This required careful assessment of the existing permission, a clear understanding of the relevant legislation, and the preparation of revised proposals that remained aligned with the client’s intentions while addressing the technical and legal constraints.

The design included the addition of an additional storey above the original bungalow, transforming the property’s scale and presence. A large rear extension further enhanced the available living space, creating a layout better suited to modern living and the client’s long-term needs.

Outcome

The revised proposal not only resolved the client’s planning challenge but also delivered a more coherent and future-proof design for the property. By navigating the Section 73 process and refining the design, we were able to eventually help the client achieve as close as possible to the originally intended design, whilst avoiding the unnecessary CIL charges which would otherwise have been incurred.

Follow Up

After the success of the project, the client has since returned to us for extra works around the property, including the designs for a new oak-framed carport. Given the positioning of this, we have been liaising with structural engineers to ensure that the surrounding trees and retaining wall are all carefully taken into consideration.