Eco-home fishes for approval
A REVISED proposal for a controversial six-bedroom eco-home and a separate education centre with a manager’s flat between Smithfield Lane and Bacon Lane alongside popular fishing lakes at Headley Down have been submitted to East Hampshire District Council by Kenny Wright, who runs five angling sites as part of his business, MBK Leisures.
Following criticism by the council’s architects’ panel of earlier designs, the plan for the single-storey house, which will be used by Mr Wright’s family, has been reduced in size and no longer includes a basement gym and cinema. Its potential energy saving has been enhanced by, among other aspects, rotating its position to take advantage of late afternoon sun.
The shape of the building has been cut into the contours of the 25 hectares (61 acres) site, enhancing its low profile, and there will be landscaping and tree planting around it. Only natural or degradable local materials will be used, including some from on site.
Sustainable water strategy will include using a borehole for supply, green roofs to reduce run-off, rainwater will be harvested and a natural swimming pool will be chemical free and without a filtration plant.
Five acres of new woodland are proposed to improve the ecology of the site and provide for barn owl and bat roosting boxes.
When plans for the site were initially put forward last year and presented to Headley residents, a number were against building the education centre but the architects’ panel preferred comprehensive use of the land and it has been incorporated in the application.
The classroom, which will accommodate 25-30 people, will be available for schools to use for environmental studies within the Site of Importance for Nature Conservation as well as complementary to the sport angling business.
Half of the single-storey building will be for manager’s accommodation.
The district council’s architects’ panel has backed the Wishanger proposal, saying: “The applicant demonstrated a strong case for unique circumstances in relation to the existence of the fishing lakes and stewardship of the land, a concept which extends to not only helping safeguard the future of the fishing lakes but also taking important steps to greatly improve the ecological habitat in the vicinity of the dwelling, and this was worthy of support for the principle of a new dwelling in this rural location.
“By integrating cutting-edge technology in a design that is of the highest standard, whilst fully engaging with its landscape setting and location, an outstanding design has been achieved,” its report said.
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Weather for Petersfield
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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