Project Overview

This project involved the transformation of a charming semi‑detached Edwardian home located on the edge of a rural village, benefitting from expansive views across open countryside. Although not a listed building, the property is recognised as a non-designated heritage asset and sits within the Sharnbrook Conservation Area, adding an extra layer of sensitivity to any proposed changes.

Arranged over three floors, the home includes three main bedrooms, two reception rooms, a kitchen, utility room, and a converted former garage now functioning as a family room. A small fourth bedroom, currently used as a study, sits beneath the roof slope. The plot enjoys good screening from the street with a low brick wall, iron railings, and hedging offering a well-defined boundary.

Historic, Aesthetic & Communal Significance

Built in 1909, this Edwardian dwelling was originally designed to offer a high standard of rural living for families of the period. Constructed in brick with stone dressings and a plain tile roof, the property showcases many characteristic features of the era, including:

• An ornate arched gable above a two-storey bay window
• Crested ridge tiles and decorative finials
• Bonnet hips and patterned club tiles
• An arched entrance surround
• Tall sash windows that contribute to its grand appearance

These architectural elements collectively reinforce the building’s strong heritage value.

Evidential Value

The property represents a fine example of early 20th-century homes built for the prosperous upper working classes, many of whom relied on domestic help. The Edwardian period saw heightened demand for spacious, well-detailed homes near railway stations—balancing rural comfort with easy city connections.

While much of the original detailing survives, no evidence of former servants’ quarters remains.

The Proposal

The homeowners sought permission to demolish an outdated conservatory positioned along the northeast elevation and replace it with a single-storey side extension. Their aim was to create a family-friendly kitchen–diner with improved garden views and access. The proposal also included a new screen wall to enhance privacy and security.

Our design introduced an L-shaped extension projecting from the side of the original house—carefully composed to respect the existing architecture, using matching materials and sympathetic detailing.

Conservation Feedback

The local conservation officer concluded that:

• The extension appropriately references the host building’s architectural language
• The new internal wall and gate at the driveway entrance are suitable in appearance
• The proposals would not harm the character of the conservation area, neighbouring amenity, or highway safety

Design Guidance Consulted

To ensure heritage sensitivity and compliance, the design approach considered a wide range of planning policy and local guidance, including:

• National Planning Policy Framework (2021)
• National Planning Practice Guidance (PPG)
• Bedford Borough Local Plan (2030): Policies 28S, 29, 30, 31, 41S
• Sharnbrook Neighbourhood Plan (2021): Policies S1, S7, S11
• Supplementary Planning Guidance
• Residential Extensions, New Dwellings & Small Infill Developments Design Guidance
• RENDSID (2000) Design Codes for Extensions: E1–E6

Design Evolution

During the early design phase, the homeowners requested the addition of a glazed gable end with bi-fold doors, enhancing natural light and maximising views towards the rear garden. This modification became a key feature, elevating the architectural quality and connection with the outdoor space.