PLANNING GRANTED! 🏡✨ Three applications later A residence in the grounds of a Listed Building in a conservation village
This is another chapter in the ongoing restoration and evolution of Spenford House, Shropshire. And I’ll be sharing exactly what we achieved, why we had to change direction and what is now going to happen next… 👀 Never underestimate what a determined homeowner and experienced Interior Designer can achieve!
PLANNING GRANTED! 🏡✨ Three applications later… two architects… a warning notice from the council… and one very determined Interior Designer and owner of Spenford House! Getting planning permission within the grounds of a Grade II listed building was never going to be straightforward — and believe me, it wasn’t! Our original plan was to make use of the existing 1950s garage. It wasn’t listed, it was failing and, on paper, it seemed like the obvious place to start. But after two unsuccessful applications, it became clear that we needed to completely rethink our approach.
One of the things the planners initially disagreed with was our argument that the carport represented an existing built footprint and should therefore be considered when looking at what could be developed. The original carport was integrated into the garage, with its joists tied into the structure, but we were told that these weren’t original and that the area to the side could not be built upon. But I wasn’t giving up that easily! By this point, the roof had actually collapsed following a combination of high winds and a particularly heavy fall of snow, which finally proved too much for the old tin roof. Thankfully, I had photographed everything before clearing it away, and those photographs became important evidence that I submitted with the application. Once everything was documented, I called in my local scrap man, John Snow, to clear away the collapsed roof and all the scrap metal — leaving us with a clean site and another hurdle to overcome!
That meant not only changing our tactic, but also bringing in a new architect. And to be clear, that wasn’t because our original architect hadn’t achieved what we wanted — sometimes a project simply needs a fresh pair of eyes, a different approach and a willingness to look at the problem from another angle. So, after plenty of discussions, challenges, compromises and a fair amount of determination, we decided to submit an application that we believed had the best possible chance of being approved. And that meant compromise. When you are working within the grounds of a listed property, you can’t simply decide what you want and expect planning to agree. You have to understand the building, its setting, the history, the planning constraints and, importantly, what the planners are trying to protect. So we listened. We adapted. We compromised — but we never gave up on the vision. And finally… PLANNING GRANTED! 🎉 What you see is my vision which is the result of persistence, patience, a lot of paperwork and one very stubborn owner who wasn’t prepared to walk away from the project!
Eventually, we achieved the larger footprint we needed — around 50m² — which gives us enough space to create a beautifully designed, well-circulated little residence.
Of course, planning always comes with compromise! One of the things we had to give up was the roof lights on the field side. Apparently, the planners felt they would be too intrusive — or, as I rather jokingly saw it, that they might offend the cows in the next field! 🐄😂
Because the original garage door opening was already there, however, we were able to incorporate a beautiful glazed gable end with bi-fold doors, opening up the whole building to the spectacular Shropshire countryside.
There is another clever element to the design too. The ground level is considerably higher than the original house, so we are going to excavate down to bring the floor level into line. This gives us the opportunity to increase the ceiling height and create a bedroom balcony above the main living space, as well as another balcony to the rear, where the old carport once stood, with French windows opening onto a little private garden.
And this is where I really see the potential…
It will be the perfect place for guests or family to stay when you want them close by — but not quite under your feet!
It could equally become a luxury holiday let, generating a very healthy income, a granny annex, a teenagers’ retreat, a home office or even a gym… although, quite frankly, this one will be far too glamorous for a gym! 😂
I’ve written a book on creating a profitable holiday let — From Shed to Chic: How to Create a Money-Making Holiday Let, available on Amazon — so perhaps it’s no surprise that I can already see the commercial potential of this little building too.
Stylistically, I’m going all out with the Hampton style, which is something I’ve become known for, while still keeping a strong connection to Spenford House. I’m planning to timber-clad the exterior, but the bones of the building will be an oak frame, echoing the character and craftsmanship of the main house.
Inside, the exposed oak frame will become a major feature. In the main living space, you’ll be able to look right up into the roof, giving the room an incredible sense of height and character. The glazed gable end will flood the space with natural light and frame those beautiful views across the Shropshire countryside.
My vision is simple:
Classic Country Chic with a twist of Hamptons elegance. 🤍
The layout will be carefully considered too. The kitchen will sit towards the rear, the dining area will occupy the middle and the living space will be positioned right against the glazed gable end, making the most of the sunshine, views and connection with the garden.
Everything will be celebrated rather than hidden — the oak frame, the roof structure and the character of the building will all be part of the design.
Then, as you move upstairs, into the eaves you will have bedroom 2 a galleried grand bedroom suite.
Off the kitchen the old footprint of the carport becomes a cosy lower ceiling height naturally lending itself to something cosier: a beautiful little nook bedroom, with painted tongue-and-groove walls, side lights creating that intimate, tucked-away country-beach house feel.
And to the side, a fabulous en-suite bathroom will complete the accommodation.
What started life as an old, failing garage with the roof too heavy not having a roof structure and pushing the walls out with its weight is about to become something completely different functioning and adding a huge amount of value.
And that, for me, is the exciting part of renovation — seeing potential where other people might simply see an old building which is collapsing. 🏡✨
The main focus throughout the renovation was, of course, Spenford House itself. The timber frame had failed so badly that the cost of saving and restoring the house was enormous. This wasn’t simply a case of renovating a tired old property — I was taking on the responsibility and financial commitment of rescuing a significant piece of history.
So I had to look at the project differently.
I needed to create substantial additional value within the plot because I simply couldn’t justify spending such a huge amount on saving Spenford House only to find that the finished property was worth less than the total investment. I was determined not to end up in a negative-equity position, where the cost of the renovation outweighed the value of the property and its developments.
Saving this building was going to require an enormous financial commitment, so I had to think beyond the restoration itself. I needed to make the whole plot work harder and create additional value through carefully considered development, while still respecting the listed house and its setting.
That became a huge part of my planning strategy — not just how do we save Spenford House?, but how do we make the investment stack up?
My architect, Robert Green, understood exactly what I was trying to achieve. He had a real understanding of adding value and creating an acquisition with genuine potential, and together we looked at how we could unlock as much value from the plot as possible without compromising the integrity of the main house.
It was ambitious, but it had to be.
I had to make the whole acquisition stack up financially — and that meant being ambitious with what could potentially be achieved through planning and Listed Building Consent.
My architect, Robert Green, understood that completely. He knew the importance of adding value and creating an acquisition that had genuine potential rather than simply carrying out a renovation for renovation’s sake.
Together, we pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved.
I was able to secure permission for a three-bay oak-framed garage, positioned well back within the plot so that it sat comfortably within the setting of the listed house grounds without competing with it.
Then came the 8m x 4m modern kitchen extension, giving the main house the contemporary living space it needed and a connection with the garden while still respecting the character of the original building.
And now, in the grounds, we have managed to achieve something I’m particularly excited about — this beautiful little Hampton-style cottage, transforming what was once a rather uninspiring old garage and carport into something with genuine purpose and value.
Before
Even the driveway became part of the bigger strategy.
I was able to move it to the furthest point from the house, which not only gives you that wonderful ‘wow’ factor as you arrive at Spenford, but also makes much better use of the land, creating additional parking and allowing the plot to work far more efficiently.
Every decision had a purpose.
This wasn’t about simply adding buildings for the sake of it. It was about unlocking the potential of the entire plot while protecting and enhancing the listed house at its heart.
The result is a property that has evolved from an incredibly expensive restoration project into something with significantly greater value, functionality and long-term potential.
And that is the part of property development I absolutely love — taking something with enormous challenges, finding the opportunity within them and making the numbers work. 🏡✨
The time has come to look for another project, will it be listed? I hope not! but if it is it is.
A few questions I’m asked…
Do you look for location over property style?
A bit of both, really. Location is important, but for me the property has to have resale upgrade profit potential. I’m looking for a way to increase and transform what is already there, often by working with the history and character of the property rather than fighting against it.
Do you only look at houses that need saving?
Not necessarily. If a house is already finished but I can improve the layout, raise the standard or unlock something that has been overlooked — perhaps there’s a little barn in the garden that could become a holiday let — then show me!
I need a challenge. I’m looking for an opportunity that perhaps nobody else wants to tackle. A hidden gem that needs someone to see what it could become.
Do you only do period houses?
For me, yes. I love old houses because they already have a story, character and architectural details that you simply cannot recreate. With some modern square-box houses, it can be much harder to build in that sense of character and soul.
Do you always sell them after spending so much time renovating them?
I love the challenge of a renovation. I love creating better flow, solving problems and, most importantly, adding value.
But once it’s finished… I get itchy feet! 😂
I need to satisfy that creative side of me, and there’s nothing quite like finding the next project and starting all over again.
Spenford House is now on the market for offers over £1.2 million.
If you’d like to know more, message me.
So, what’s next?
I’m looking for another project.
I miss my stone houses and the properties I used to live in, which probably means moving areas. And yes, at this stage of my life, that feels scary — but I’m ready for a new chapter.
One thing I’ve realised through every renovation is that I evolve personally with each one.
The house changes.
I change.
And then it’s time to find the next one. 🤍
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