Reimagining a Historic Farmhouse Site with Sensitive, Elevated Living
Located outside the settlement, this project reimagines a former farmhouse site where some original relic walls remain, offering a unique opportunity for residential renewal. The design carefully enhances the land, respecting its rural character while responding to practical needs. Due to the site’s location on a flood plain, the new dwelling is thoughtfully raised, providing protection while allowing the landscape to thrive naturally beneath. This approach ensures the home sits lightly within its environment, blending heritage with resilience. The result is a harmonious balance between preservation, modern living, and landscape enhancement.
On 12 August, Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s planning committee unanimously approved an exceptional new Paragraph 84 rural dwelling. Designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and contemporary rural architecture, the scheme received strong support from officers and was endorsed twice by an independent Design Review Panel for fully meeting Paragraph 84 planning policy requirements.
A Light Touch Upon the Land
The design embraces the concept of living lightly upon the land by carefully integrating the building with its natural surroundings. Existing tree lines and planting are used strategically to obscure the building’s massing, helping it blend seamlessly into the landscape. The layout maximises solar gain with south-east and west-facing elevations, while aligning key views to capture stunning panoramas across Romney Marsh to the north and south. The relationship the pond further enhances the site’s connection to nature.
The design embraces the concept of living lightly upon the land by carefully integrating the building with its natural surroundings. Existing tree lines and planting are used strategically to obscure the building’s massing, helping it blend seamlessly into the landscape. The layout maximises solar gain with south-east and west-facing elevations, while aligning key views to capture stunning panoramas across Romney Marsh to the north and south. The relationship the pond further enhances the site’s connection to nature.
First Floor Plan
Before and After
A transformed roadside view…
Living in a Flood Plain
The whole Romney Marsh plain has been reclaimed over centuries by a combination of natural and man made processes. Whilst the plain is well protected by the sea defence measures in place, were they to be breached, the entire plain could be engulfed. Hence the Flood Zone 3 designation exists as a blanket covering the plain. The reality of this can feel lost when driving around this part of Kent, save for the odd reminder that Tenterden is still a Cinque port town! Albeit, only ceremonially now since it’s firmly “inland”. This Paragraph 84 scheme helps to raise awareness through its response to this contemporary issue.
The whole Romney Marsh plain has been reclaimed over centuries by a combination of natural and man made processes. Whilst the plain is well protected by the sea defence measures in place, were they to be breached, the entire plain could be engulfed. Hence the Flood Zone 3 designation exists as a blanket covering the plain. The reality of this can feel lost when driving around this part of Kent, save for the odd reminder that Tenterden is still a Cinque port town! Albeit, only ceremonially now since it’s firmly “inland”. This Paragraph 84 scheme helps to raise awareness through its response to this contemporary issue.
A Natural Palette for a Light Touch in the Landscape
The material palette was carefully chosen to ensure the building sits lightly within its wooded setting, blending seamlessly with the natural environment. Light-stained timber cladding softens the building’s appearance, echoing the tones of the surrounding tree trunks and forest floor. A mix of anodised metal finishes in warm grey, soft green, and off-white provides subtle variation while reflecting light in a muted, natural way. These materials are not only durable and low-maintenance but also help the building recede into the landscape, reducing visual impact and reinforcing a design approach rooted in sensitivity and restraint.
The material palette was carefully chosen to ensure the building sits lightly within its wooded setting, blending seamlessly with the natural environment. Light-stained timber cladding softens the building’s appearance, echoing the tones of the surrounding tree trunks and forest floor. A mix of anodised metal finishes in warm grey, soft green, and off-white provides subtle variation while reflecting light in a muted, natural way. These materials are not only durable and low-maintenance but also help the building recede into the landscape, reducing visual impact and reinforcing a design approach rooted in sensitivity and restraint.
Landscape Masterplan
