A bid to build nine new houses on the grounds of an Ayrshire mansion has been launched
The proposal for Beith includes the carrying out of associated tree works, the formation of two site access roads and the provision of associated infrastructure.
The site already has two traditional mid-1800s villas. Hamilfield house is a B-listed property, with large wooded grounds, walled garden, green approach to the house and general feeling of openness around the house maintained to all sides.
The house itself is not proposed to be altered, and new development in areas of the site away from the house would enable further investment in to the upkeep and preservation of the B-listed historic mansion, the walled garden, and the grounds.
LMA Architects aim to build bespoke low energy family homes, that suit the site and setting. The development is designed to be unique, distinctive, and respectful to the landscape and context in scale, material and detail.
It's proposed that the new site will have a sustainable approach, for instance, drainage will be with surface run-off self contained on site, controlled with localised soakaways for run-off where necessary.
Initial pre-application feedback was that the indicative approach would not be supported due to a potential impact on the setting of the B-Listed Hamilfield House, the formal nature of the typologies adopted and the quantity and extent of tree removal.
A subsequent site visit was attended by the planner, an independent tree specialist, and client on January 19, with more clarity and context offered on all three aspects, with ongoing design development reacting to the points raised.
A follow-up response was received on January 26 and indicated that following the extra information and research provided by the LMA Architects, the proposed development is unlikely to have a significant impact on the setting of Hamilfield House.
It was argued that the layout direction was more logical and addressed amenity and place-making concerns, with a recommendation to omit a unit in the northern area, to further improve this.
Improvements to the layout resulted in an overall reduction of trees lost, and the site visit and discussions with the arboriculturalist demonstrated that many of the trees are of low quality and should be removed in the interest of good woodland management.
The site edges include a green mature boundary with very little visibility from the road. The proposals take this character of the site into account and set out to maintain it.
Once the trees identified as unsuitable are removed, obvious gaps appear on the site and the proposals look to utilise these gaps for development.
New trees would be planted to compensate for any that are affected by the proposed development.
North Ayrshire planners will rule on the proposals at a future date.
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