Located in Great Missenden, within the Green Belt settlement and the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the existing bungalow was in a run-down condition and no longer suitable for modern family living. The property lacked architectural quality and failed to respond meaningfully to its exceptional rural setting, offering limited accommodation and poor spatial organisation.
The brief was to secure planning permission for a replacement dwelling within a highly sensitive planning context, carefully balancing Green Belt policy and AONB considerations with the client’s aspiration for a generous, high-quality family home. The proposal sought to design a replacement bungalow with increased floor area while respecting the character and policies of the Chilterns AONB. It aimed to create a unique yet contextually appropriate architectural form, maximise views across the surrounding Chilterns landscape, provide five bedrooms and generous open-plan living spaces, and ensure privacy within substantial garden grounds.
Planning approval was successfully obtained for a new replacement bungalow of generous proportions. While distinctive in its architectural expression, the design draws upon traditional forms, balanced proportions, and simple articulated shapes to ensure harmony with the rural surroundings. The material palette reflects the vernacular of the Chiltern rural area, reinforcing contextual sensitivity while allowing the house to maintain its own architectural identity in an area known for individually designed homes. Large, glazed panels frame views of the open Chiltern countryside and introduce abundant natural light into the interior. The ground floor accommodates five bedrooms, a spacious open-plan kitchen with a vaulted ceiling, a generous living room, and a welcoming entrance hall. At the first-floor level, two additional bedrooms were created, each incorporating a dressing area and en-suite facilities, providing flexible accommodation suited to both family life and visiting guests.
The completed project delivers a substantial yet policy-compliant replacement dwelling within its Green Belt and AONB setting. The new home successfully combines traditional architectural principles with contemporary openness and light. The result is a distinctive and spacious family residence that enhances its site, captures panoramic views of the Chiltern landscape, and provides high-quality living accommodation tailored to modern lifestyles.
