Self-Build Success in Birdlip: Outline Planning Permission Secured for Local Resident
We are thrilled to share that Cotswold District Council has granted outline planning permission for a single self-build dwelling in the Gloucestershire village of Birdlip. Below, we outline the human story behind the project and the planning considerations that secured this approval.
A Home for a Local Resident
At the heart of this project is a lifelong Birdlip resident with strong ties to the village. Raised in Birdlip, and living with their father at the family home, they had been priced out of the local property market. This self-build dwelling offers them the chance to remain in the community they love, close to family and friends, while creating a home tailored to their needs. The site has been within the family’s ownership for over 30 years and supports multi-generational living.
Navigating Local Policy in a Sensitive Location
The application site is part of the large rear garden of ‘Higher Ground’, the applicant’s childhood home. The village of Birdlip is a non-principal settlement and sits within the Cotswold National Landscape. Our planning submission focussed on demonstrating compliance with Policy DS3, which permits small-scale residential development in such areas if it:
- Supports local community vitality and services
- Is proportionate in scale and enhances sustainable development patterns
- Complements the settlement’s form and character
- Avoids adverse cumulative impacts
The proposed two-bedroom dwelling meets these criteria, integrating into the village’s built-up area and utilising an existing vehicular access. With approximately 25 new dwellings approved in Birdlip during the Local Plan period, this modest addition supports the village’s sustainability without overwhelming its character.
Addressing Technical Considerations
The outline application, with all matters reserved except access, included detailed highways and ecological assessments. A highways technical drawing and swept path analysis confirmed that the existing access provides safe vehicle entry and exit, with two off-street parking spaces meeting Gloucestershire County Council’s standards. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal found the site to have low ecological value, with negligible impacts on protected species. Despite being exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, as a self-build dwelling, the applicant will consider potential enhancements at the reserved matters stage. We also ensured the dwelling’s siting avoids the root protection area of a nearby non-protected tree, safeguarding the local environment.
Looking Ahead
This approval establishes the principle of development. The applicant will finalise and agree details on appearance, landscaping, layout and scale at the reserved matters stage. We demonstrated that the project aligns with national and local policies supporting self-build housing and small-scale development precedent within the village.
Ultimately, the project is an example of delivering sustainable development while addressing the needs of our clients. The result is a home that enables a young person to stay rooted in their community, through thoughtful planning solutions.
For more information about this project, please contact Peter Lang.
Get in Touch
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