Home extension, Monmouthshire

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Category: Home Extension & Remodelling
Location: Monmouthshire
Client: Private
The brief: The client sought to extend their hillside property in Monmouthshire with a first-floor addition over an existing semi-subterranean ground-floor extension. Given the property's location, which offers far-reaching views and is visible from several vantage points, any extension needed to be meticulously designed to ensure it did not negatively impact the surrounding open countryside. The client had previously faced challenges with restrictive height limits that led to a compromised first-floor layout. This time, they were determined to avoid such limitations. However, Monmouthshire County Council's stringent policy on volume limits for extensions posed a significant challenge, and pre-planning feedback suggested that obtaining support for any future extension would be difficult. Despite these hurdles, both the client and our architectural team believed that a viable design solution could be achieved.
Key features:


Contemporary Design Solution: Addressed the design challenges posed by Local Planning Policy.

Subtle Integration: The green wall on the southeast elevation was instrumental in ensuring the extension blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

Our role:

Apex were appointed to carry out a comprehensive measured survey supported by a topographical survey from Precise Land Surveys. This collaboration allowed us to produce accurate floor plans, elevations, and a 3D model of the existing property. These tools were essential in precisely calculating the volumes of both the previous extensions and the original property, including the subterranean areas, which would become a crucial aspect of the planning application.

After exploring several design options, a final scheme was agreed upon, and Apex submitted the planning application. Thanks to proactive engagement with the planning officer, who appreciated the creative design solution, approval was granted in July 2024 without objections from relevant parties.

During the design review, the planning officer commented:

“When read in connection with the previous extensions at the site, the proposal represents a large addition to the dwelling. However, the current proposal has been carefully designed to read as a secondary and subordinate element.

Thank you for your help with this application, I am pleased to say it has been approved”

Timeline: Appointed: Spring 2024. Planning consent: Summer 2024.
Main contractor: Apex Architecture Ltd