Family ties

Mike Dade investigates

PLOT WATCH:

WHO Jane and David Brewer

WHAT The couple are keen to create a new dwelling on the site next to their current abode, which is situated within a green belt plotlands area. The draft Local Plan holds some promise, but they will need to approach their planning application with care.

WHERE Kent

Jane and David Brewer live in one of the plotlands areas in southeast England. These generally rural settlements were built up between the late 1800s and the Second World War. Small cabins and bungalows that once served as either holiday or permanent accommodation in these areas have been giving way, over the years, to smart onestorey dwellings and chalet bungalows.

The Brewers live in a relatively small plotlands zone, and many of the sites are vacant and overgrown. Almost all of the original houses have now been replaced.

Jane and David have been able to buy the land adjoining their home. Could it be suitable for a new dwelling that could accommodate their daughter’s family, who are looking to move closer to their roots?

The site

Jane and David’s abode sits towards the end of an unmade road with a scattering of properties along one side. There’s also one house beyond them at the end of the lane. The site they’ve bought is on the other side of their abode and now forms part of their extensive garden. It is neatly mown grass, interspersed with quite large ash and oak trees. The plot slopes away from the road down to a level area at the rear, where there’s a vegetable patch, greenhouse and shed. Close to the road frontage is a large outbuilding used for storing logs. There is more than enough space for a dwelling here, and both the new house and the existing one would still have large gardens.