Yarm house to be demolished and replaced by ‘lavish’ home

Ian Shipley has asked for planning permission to build a house on Bridge Street, Yarm including a double garage to the side and an outbuilding at the back with a gym and office.

An existing bungalow and outbuildings will be demolished to make way for the new five-bedroom home – a piece of “truly wonderful architecture”, according to the scheme sent to Stockton Council.

3D computer-generated images show what the plush interiors and spacious garden might look like. Floor plans show a gym, sauna and office with changing facilities in the outbuilding, with a music room, “relaxing area”, snug, children’s room, large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, utility and shower room in the main house, along with a double garage.

The first floor has a “private play/cinema room”, family bathroom and three bedrooms, one with en suite and walk-in wardrobe. A second floor will accommodate two further bedrooms, with a large garden space and barbecue area at the back.

Agent Pod Newcastle says in a design, access and heritage statement: “We have articulated the scheme to fit seamlessly into the immediate Victorian context, replicating the rhythm of bay windows, ornate brickwork detailing, sliding sash windows, material pallet, scale and mass.

As you manoeuvre through the dwelling the spaces open up onto the north-facing garden with large floor-to-ceiling sliding doors offering fabulous views of the viaduct.

“A short walk externally connects you into the leisure wing, housing gym, sauna and endless pool, with an office area to the north. First and second floor provides bedroom accommodation with en suites, cinema roof and family bathroom.”

The plans have since been changed to shorten the “ancillary wing”, removing the pool and other leisure facilities according to the applicant’s agent, though the plans still show the gym and sauna.

The statement says: “After a consultation with the neighbouring residents, a decision was made to reduce the length of the leisure wing at the rear by 5.5 metres and move it closer to the main building by 0.5 metres to protect the visual amenity towards the viaduct, previously highlighted as a grade II listed heritage asset and an important feature to the residents of Bridge Street.

“Furthermore the building is pulled away from the river, reducing any potential flood risk if the flood defences were ever compromised.

“The proposed development will positively enhance the character of the conservation area. The proposal will restore the street scene anchoring the fabulous run of Georgian and Victorian dwellings on Bridge Street, echoing the form, massing and bespoke details that are showcased in this area.”

The developer wants to knock down the existing 20th century bungalow with concrete roof tiles and window surrounds and uPVC windows: “Currently the site is largely overgrown with several timber sheds in the rear garden… This dwelling is particular(ly) out of character with the existing street scene and immediate context in both scale and architectural style, the scheme proposes that this is demolished and the full site cleared and stripped of all landscaping.

“Our opportunity was to maximise views over the river Tees and viaduct, whilst obeying the Victorian architectural styling of the sits immediate neighbours.”

The proposals say they maintain the “impressive set back from Bridge Street” and the house will not “creep” forward, adding: “The garage is functionally located next to the public footpath connecting Bridge Street and True Lovers Walk, whilst the rear contemporary ‘extension’ and outbuilding have been sited to maximise morning sunlight and views of the viaduct.

“The use of high-quality materials will truly represent the client’s ambition for creating an exemplar home. A highly contemporary rear elevation opens up into the wonderful large north-facing garden, that is a beautiful example of modern quality connecting into traditional craftsmanship and detailing.”

The application form states: “The current bungalow is not fit for purpose for a family home. Architecturally the bungalow is certainly disconnected from the immediate urban context, the client wishes to re-order this.

“The dwelling has been vacant for a time period which is evident through the lack of general upkeep to the property most notably in the overgrown landscaping.”