Moor Cottage — Exmoor National Park Grade II Listed Extension + Refurbishment Somerset

The cottage, now dated, lacked natural light and was more than ready to be brought into the 21st century. Our clients’ brief was to create more space, bring light and outlook into their new home, to renovate its facilities, including provision for home working, as well as to enhance the relationship between the house and the garden. Maintaining the original character, charm and heritage of the property and its surroundings was of key importance to all concerned, however, being set deep in a valley against the rising ground, in a National Park and also being a Listed building, this presented challenges not just in consideration of the design and construction detail but also in terms of obtaining the necessary permissions to extend and alter their home.

The scheme therefore required a sensitive touch that was respectful of the context of the property and through analysis and explanation of the building’s evolution, the proposed alterations were supported by the Local Planning Authority’s Conservation Officer. By extending up to the bank at the side of the house and to its rear, the cramped kitchen was turned into a spacious efficient kitchen and naturally lit dining area with views out into the garden through glazed folding doors that open up, extending the inside out into the garden. The rest of the interior was also updated creating fresh bright spaces, whilst retaining the charm and integrity of the original cottage.

Extension of existing dwellings within the National Park is carefully controlled by planning policy, therefore in order to create guest accommodation and a home office, the two small outbuildings were also renovated and extended. By retaining most of the existing stone walls and combining these with traditionally detailed timber construction these were sympathetically modernised to work with the main house.

Our work involved creating initial designs through to works on site to implement the proposals. By utilising knowledge and experience of local traditional materials, and more modern techniques and products, the cottage and outbuildings were brought up to date and refreshed without losing the character and charm of the original cottage.