Fuller Long was recently involved in a project at Murzie Farm, just outside the village of Marden. The site was within the curtilage of the 17th century grade II listed building – Murzie Farmhouse. The grounds included a double garage, tennis court with fencing, gardens and an apple orchard. The proposed work was to demolish the existing garage building and construct a replacement garage, gym, recreation space and small store projecting from the west elevation.
Fuller Long prepared a Heritage and Planning Statement to accompany a planning application to Maidstone Borough Council. The statement included an assessment of the historical development of the site and its historic context, including a historic map progression of the earlier built form within the farmstead.
We became involved following the refusal of a previous planning application for a replacement outbuilding. The reasons for refusal were taken into consideration and we provided design and heritage advice. The proposals were significantly modified, and the scheme evolved with a heritage-led approach. The massing took into consideration the size of the host building and was reduced (relative to previous applications) to the extent that it was clearly an ancillary building to the grade II listed dwelling.
A site visit, map progression study and study on Kentish farmsteads enabled us to establish the site’s morphology and significance, which informed the design and impact assessment. This was essential in providing advice to the design team on how the proposal could respond sensitively to the site. A thorough baseline study also enabled us to build on the argument that Farmhouses were not standalone buildings but formed part of a group and had a visual relationship with their associated buildings. We argued that pre-19th century farmsteads did not follow a specific pattern and were characterised by unplanned layouts that arose from emerging necessities which grew and changed organically. It was therefore concluded that the proposed configuration was also in keeping with the characteristics of early farmsteads in the wider area.
Fuller Long’s Heritage Consultant, Josie Roscoe, produced the Heritage Statement and provided advice, conducting research into the site’s background and development and providing justifications for the proposed work. The Heritage Statement demonstrated that the works were entirely consistent with national policy and Maidstone’s Local Plan. Planning permission was subsequently granted.
If you are an owner of a Listed Building and are thinking about making any changes to your property, we are able to assist. Our Heritage team has assisted with supporting Heritage Statements, planning permission and listed building consent for a number of heritage assets across the country and can do the same for you.
To speak with one of our experienced team of Heritage consultants, please call us on 01483 802221 or email us at hello@fullerlong.com.
