Our World Heritage Site
In 2023 we were approached with a large sensitive site in a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After two previous applications that had proposed to extend upon the existing mining cottage were denied for various design implications, our client got in touch wanting to give the site one more chance to create his dream home and rejuvenate the site.
We looked at the sensitive nature of the site and held constructive meetings with the World Heritage Officer and Cornwall planners to understand previous design failures and how to mitigate these so that all shareholders were satisfied.
The site has a rich history linked with Cornwall’s Industrial Mining past, the dwelling was originally a two bedroom house used by mining families working in the Killifreth Mine, you can see Hawke's Shaft Engine Pumping House today from the site not more than 150m away. Over the previous 20 years the property has been left to decay.
Views to Kilifreth Mine shaft and the existing site.
This was one of the main concerns from the planning authorities, with the main road running East to West across the top of the site they wanted to ensure the site lines and the imposing nature of the Mine Shaft were not intruded on by any additions to the dwelling.
Furthermore the historic significance of the dwelling itself was emphasised in the previous planning applications stating clearly ‘any addition must stay subservient to the main dwelling’.
South facade of the existing dwelling.
We also undertook mining surveys of the property and a full measured survey of the site to gain a full understanding and to highlight any potential risks and design constraints. Our client’s needs were to transform this derelict structure into his dream home featuring four bedrooms with all the additional modern amenities we expect from our homes.
So now we had built this solid understanding of the site; its history, significance, restraints and aspirations we got to work.
The previous applications had proposed a two storey extension on the West side of the dwelling in order to provide enough space for the rooms required, however this large massing was not only blocking the siteline of the Killifreth Mine but dominating the existing mining cottage at the same time.
So we proposed something radically different, instead of building West, we go East and stretch the footprint of the extension across a single floor to preserve site lines beyond. By excavating below the existing ground level, our East Wing becomes sunken into the landscape, topped with a sedum roof to create the illusion of the landscape stretching out into the distance, further hiding the new proposal.
Our proposals for the site.
After numerous meetings with all shareholders; client, planners and the World Heritage Officer we transformed this concept into sketches and then full plans ready for submission. Landscaping was also crucial in the success of the application, we made sure to use a Gorse, Wildflower mix of planting across most the site, with semi wild gardens to the West with a formalised garden tucked in front of our new East wing, not visible from road.
Our plans include the restoration of the derelict cottage with a new internal layout to maximise usability. Making sure to retain significant design features of the cottage such as the chimneys and replace the slate roof with new.
South facade re-imagined.
Everyone associated with the project was delighted with the finished design and the application passed first time, our client was so relived to have success after 3 years of frustration with the site.
If you have a similar heritage project we would love to hear from you and work together to unlock your site’s potential.
You can view our application here PA23/06726 .
