From Garden to Grapes: Helping Alison & Mike Secure Their Downsizing Dream in St Austell

There is no greater professional compliment than a happy client—except, perhaps, when that compliment comes accompanied by a crate of Fortnum & Mason’s finest wine!

Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of helping our clients, Alison and Mike, secure full planning permission for a stunning custom-build dwelling in St Austell. After the "Grant of Conditional Planning Permission" landed, we were touched to receive this note:

"To Simon. Thank you so much for your hard work in getting our planning through!!! We really appreciate it and please enjoy this wine on us. Alison and Mike"

The Vision: Downsizing without Moving Away

Alison and Mike had a classic "Right-sizing" dilemma. They loved their location on Bodmin Road but wanted a more manageable, modern home. The solution? To use a portion of their wider garden to create a high-specification, sustainable, three-bedroom house.

By building on their own land, they can now sell their current house and move into a bespoke home designed specifically for their needs—all while staying in the neighbourhood they know and love.

The Strategy: Navigating the "Tilted Balance"

Securing planning for a new home in a garden isn't always straightforward. To ensure success, we leaned heavily on several key planning factors:

• Housing Need: With Cornwall’s housing targets increasing by 63% recently, the council is under significant pressure to approve well-located, sustainable schemes.

• The "Tilted Balance": Because of local housing shortages, the "tilted balance" often applies, meaning there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

• Previously Developed Land: We successfully argued that the site qualified as previously developed land, making it a prime candidate for a new dwelling.

A Masterclass in Sustainable Design

This wasn't just about getting a "box" approved. We worked closely with the clients to design a home that is as eco-friendly as it is beautiful. The approved plans include:

• Yorkshire Boarding & Slate Roofs: Materials that blend perfectly with the Cornish landscape.

• Renewable Energy: Integrated roof-mounted solar panels.

• Biodiversity Gains: The site will feature bee bricks, bat boxes, hedgehog-friendly fencing, and native pollinator planting.

• Future-Proofing: An integrated garage and a package treatment plant for efficient waste management.

Why This Matters

For many people in Cornwall and across the UK, their garden is an untapped asset. This project proves that with the right planning strategy and a focus on high-quality design, you can unlock the value of your land to create a lifestyle-changing home.

We are raised a glass (of very nice wine!) to Alison and Mike, and we can’t wait to see the "spades in the ground" for this fantastic St Austell project.

Do you have a large garden with potential?

If you’re thinking about building your own dream home or downsizing like Alison and Mike, let’s talk. At Planix, we specialise in turning "maybe" into "approved."

Email simon@planix.uk to start your planning journey with Planix.