A cottage could be 'lovingly restored' in the North Pennines.

An agent from Greatspace Architects submitted a planning application to refurbish and extend Hillside Cottage, Sinderhope and convert the garage.

A design and access statement said the proposal hopes to restore the cottage's original feature stonework and convert the garage to create additional bedrooms.

It is in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

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"Natural, high-quality materials are proposed for exterior finishes, to complement both the existing cottage and its rural setting. The addition of an appropriately sized lime render garage, with revised parking, allows for extended gardens to the front of the property, improving the cottage’s relation to its AONB surroundings," the statement said.

"The proposed dwelling hopes to reinstate historic features of the cottage, complementing these through use of a carefully selected natural material palette for all proposed extensions. At present, the existing extensions are of a lower quality finish, and can be seen to detract from the traditional character of the property. Inappropriate extensions are to be removed or updated, with the hope of highlighting the modest historic vernacular of the existing cottage."

The proposal hopes to promote local wildlife and biodiversity by adding sparrow boxes, restoring natural stone facades for insects and solitary bees, and adding a sedum roof instead of existing single-ply flat roofing. Sedum roofing will improve the property's appearance and visual impact on the AONB.

 

An ecology report said: "Without any mitigation the proposed works will result in negligible impact on the bat, amphibian and bird population present. The provision of mitigation in the form of bird boxes will maintain biodiversity over the existing site."

In conclusion, the design and access statement said: "The proposal hopes to provide a high-quality refurbishment and extension to the cottage, restoring and complementing the local vernacular, as a lovingly restored part of the AONB landscape.

"Removing paint and repairing original stone walls will help to preserve the building, protecting against potential damp, whilst restoring its historic character. The scheme allows for improved circulation on the ground floor, with a garage renovation creating guest accomodation. The new extension to the rear of the property is now aligned to the gable end, restoring the property’s principal facade."

For more information, go to the council's planning portal and search reference number 24/03687/FUL.