How can we blend Somerset countryside, a community garden and a private residence?

Having successfully worked on a Para 80 project, we were approached by the client for this scheme to see if we could help them through the rigorous process of design review panels and the high bar that is set for the Paragraph 80 planning clause. Together with the design team we went back to basics and began to rationalise the landscape for the benefits of ecology and sustainability.

The client manages a community garden on the site which will remain well into the future, much of our design process was exploring ways in which this space could be both screened from the house whilst still being a very welcome part of the whole site. Managing surface  water with a sustainable drainage scheme was another key driver and influenced the whole aesthetic of the landscape.

It was really important to us the ground floor of the house opened out onto a generous space and the planted terraces opposite the front door would provide a fabulous sense of arrival.

Work on site begins in 2025.