The couple encountered resistance from the organizers in their quest to get authorization for constructing a barn-like self-build project
Cambridgeshire Couple Transforms Victorian Stable Block and Builds New Home
In a charming blend of the old and the new, Clive and Sue, a Cambridgeshire couple, have transformed their Victorian stable block and cowshed into a modern living space, and built a new single-story house on their land. The key enabler for this transformation was the Class Q permitted development right, a change in planning rules that eased the conversion process for agricultural buildings into residences.
The couple's Victorian outbuildings were converted into a U-shaped courtyard home, with predominantly single-story design and a mezzanine office area. Clive built a window seat with storage space below in Sue's mezzanine office, adding a personal touch to their new living space.
To address the poor water supply pressure, the couple installed a system in the plant room to store and pressurize water around the entire house. Two air source heat pumps were purchased to power underfloor heating, ensuring a comfortable living environment.
The new house was designed to replicate the look of a traditional agricultural building, with the exterior clad in rustic bricks, black-stained weatherboarding, slates, peg tiles, and pantiles. Inside, wood-effect porcelain tiles were laid over underfloor heating for a hard-wearing finish with a warm feel.
The couple's attention to detail is evident in the thoughtful design of their new home. A walk-in larder, a separate utility room, a drinks station in the kitchen, a boot room, and a designated dog shower are just some of the features that make daily life easier and more comfortable. The house was designed with four bedrooms and high vaulted ceilings in the open-plan kitchen-diner. Each of the four ground-floor bedrooms has a wetroom-style shower room for ease of access and cleaning.
The family lived in their conversion for several years before eventually being granted planning permission for the new house. The house was built by a local builder, who lived just one mile away from the site. The couple chose large porcelain floor tiles for their low-maintenance properties.
The journey to this transformation began forty years ago when Clive and Sue bought a nine-acre plot of land for keeping their daughter's horse. Years later, planning rules changed, allowing them to convert their stable block and cowshed into a home. Once Clive retired, they applied to replace old asbestos warehouse and corrugated storage unit with a new house.
The couple's story is a testament to the potential of agricultural buildings for modern living, and the benefits of the Class Q permitted development right in facilitating such conversions. Their home, a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when planning rules support sustainable and creative reuse of existing structures.
- The couple's planned conversion of their Victorian stable block and cowshed was enabled by the Class Q permitted development right, easing the process of turning agricultural buildings into residences.
- In the newly converted U-shaped courtyard home, Clive built a window seat with storage space below, adding a personal touch to their living space.
- To improve the water supply pressure, a system to store and pressurize water was installed in the plant room for the entire house.
- Underfloor heating was powered by two air source heat pumps, ensuring a comfortable living environment.
- The exterior design of the new house mimicked a traditional agricultural building with rustic bricks, black-stained weatherboarding, slates, peg tiles, and pantiles.
- Inside the new home, wood-effect porcelain tiles were laid over underfloor heating for a low-maintenance, warm feel.
- Attention to detail was evident in the home's design features, including a walk-in larder, separate utility room, drinks station in the kitchen, boot room, and designated dog shower.
- The new home was designed with high vaulted ceilings in the open-plan kitchen-diner and four bedrooms, each with a wetroom-style shower room for easy access and cleaning.
- The local builder, who lived nearby, constructed the new house, while large porcelain floor tiles were chosen due to their low-maintenance properties.
- Clive and Sue's story showcases the potential of agricultural buildings for modern living and the benefits of the Class Q permitted development right in facilitating such conversions, resulting in a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity in their home.
