One-off property ‘of merit’ up for £2.5m
A HOUSE which was given special permission to be built in open countryside because of its “architectural merit” and “exceptional design and planning” has been completed and is on the market for £2.5million.
The property, situated just outside of Windley village, six miles north of Derby, was designed by Matthew Montague Architects, based in Longford.
The 7,500 sq ft home is built into the hillside and curves and moulds into the contours of the land. Historically the site was a saw mill owned by a local businessman who was using it as a timber yard.
Existing buildings on the site were of utilitarian design, of timber, concrete and steel construction - decaying and not particularly attractive, according to the architects.
Planning for the site goes back 13 years as far as 2011, when the change of use of the site from commercial to residential was granted. Later the same year Amber Valley Borough Council embraced the concept of a one-off, exceptional, contemporary designed home on the site.
Principal architect Matthew Montague said: “Securing planning permission for the dwelling wasn’t easy. The land is situated outside of the village and as a result outside of the development boundary, so it was considered countryside. To gain any chance of success the dwelling needed to have architectural merit.”
A new home was designed to blend in with its countryside setting with curved external retaining walls at both ends and a curved roof. The house was considered of exceptional design, and planning approval was granted at that time on the basis that “very occasionally the exceptional quality and innovative nature of the design of a proposed, isolated new house may provide this special justification for granting planning permission. Such a design should be truly outstanding and ground-breaking”.
The McLaren Property Group purchased the property in 2022, ten years after the original planning permission was secured. Works are now complete, and the result is a six-bedroomed contemporary upside-down house. It is largely of open plan design with a grand entrance hall with feature floating staircase.
The staircase leads to an open plan kitchen, living and dining area with curved roof and large full height windows. The upper floor benefits from a wraparound terrace with breath taking views of the countryside.
There are two offices, an additional kitchen/utility room and a dedicated boot room.. Also a gymnasium, entertainment room, double garage and sweeping driveway, which could comfortably accommodate 8 vehicles.
Mr Montague added: “The site has a colourful history and there has been a few trials and tribulations along the way, but the developers took a leap of faith and the result is an exceptional property, it’s been a pleasure to be involved.”
An open house is taking place next Sunday, May 19 by appointment only. For more information contact Jake Hendon on 07597 175835 or Hannah Felicity on 07896 413747.