Land Off Mill Lane, Lower Bentham, LA2 7DF

The planning concept - Paragraph 79 states the following:

Planning policies and decisions should avoid the development of isolated homes in the countryside unless one or more of the following circumstances apply:

e) the design is of exceptional quality, in that it:
- is truly innovative, reflecting high standards of architecture, and would help to raise the standards of design more generally in rural areas; and
- would significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area

Planning consent was granted by Craven District Council on 23 July 2019, reference number: 2019/20743/FUL for a 'single detached dwelling, garage and kennels, associated landscaping and new vehicle access.' JMP Architects in Lancaster and Rural Solutions, Skipton worked in conjunction with the vendor to create this innovative deign.

The project has been driven by the principle to minimise the impact of a new dwelling on the environment, both during construction and occupation - these principles include use of locally sourced materials to reduce carbon footprint, construction timber from sustainably managed forests, grass roofs to outbuildings to reduce rain water run off, Passivehuas standards, designed for ultra low energy consumption combined with consistently good internal air quality achieved by super insulation, thermal bridge free design, heat recovery ventilation (MVHR), low energy, long life light fittings and renewable energy sources (air source heat pumps and micro-hydro pumps).

The house and outbuildings sit towards the southern most corner of the site, taking advantage of the stunning views towards Ingleborough. The entrance is through the existing field entrance resulting in the house sitting against the backdrop of trees to the river and not breaking the skyline.

Set over three floors, floor to ceiling windows are focused either to the courtyard or the open views to the east and allow light to flood in. Plans show for a fabulous contemporary open plan living space with seating terraces to the north and east; the dining kitchen and sitting room are separated by a few steps and glass balustrade - the glass works well so as not to lose the view whilst you are in the dining area. Ancillaries include utility and a plant rooms and cloakroom.

Also to the ground floor is an en suite bedroom. A gallery sits above the kitchen with glazed balustrade, there are two further en suite doubles and a principal suite with bedroom, bathroom and dressing area to the first floor and a fifth double en suite bedroom to the second floor.

The drive (proposed to be non tarmac) flows around and down to arrive between the house and garage/workshop and on through the courtyard. The outbuildings are cut into the landscape so that the roof line emerges from the field grass. There is excellent parking provision with a double garage and triple car port. Also shown on the proposed plan are two general stores, a log store, gardeners' WC and kennelling.

The site, an open sloping field c. 2.1 acres (0.85 hectares) is bounded by stone walls and trees. Bordering the River Wenning with its salmon ladder, weir, bedrock pools and bends, single bank fishing rights are included. The site is partly wooded and new tree planting is part of the proposed scheme providing ecological enhancement. An oasis of serenity in every sense.