THE demolition of a 1970s bungalow at Charmouth to make way for a low energy family house has been approved.

Dorset Council agreed the planning request for an ‘upside down house’ at the Higher Sea Lane site.

The four-bedroom home will have the main living areas on the upper floor to take advantage of the views, a similar layout to others in the sought-after road.

The site is referred to in application documents as Corsairs, although Dorset Council had inadvertently given the site another name when it was first advertised, resulting in a re-advertisement and an additional 21 days for consultation.

Agents acting for Ms Nicola Bustin said the designs of the new property will reflect the adjacent properties.

RAK Architecture say the proposed, striking, property in the long-term will be of greater benefit than trying to alter and extend the building already on the site: “It soon became clear that the optimum solution would be to replace the 1970s dwelling with a new building, far better suited to realising the owners' aspirations of a very low carbon design and a legacy of sustainability… the long-term benefits of the reduced carbon footprint of the low energy home over the next 50 -70 years, far outweighed any short-term penalties,” said the agent in an outline to Dorset Council.

The architects say they have been careful to produce a design with maintains the privacy of neighbours – one of which had written to Dorset Council to say they are content with the proposal.

But there were concerns. Five letters had been sent to Dorset Council to say the design and size and scale was out of keeping with the area, that there could be some loss of privacy with the inclusion of raised terraces and increased light and vehicle pollution.

Charmouth Parish Council also welcomed the re-development of the site. In its submission it said: “The Design Statement is excellent and demonstrates an extremely well thought through proposal following clear principles providing the context for well articulated objectives,” although it adds that some more thought might be given to water conservation measures.

Illustrations – Proposals for how the new property might look.