Challenges within National Parks

We have had projects, to date, within two National Parks (the New Forest National Park and Dartmoor National Park). Both locations have presented challenges from a planning perspective but working with both local authorities, they have been overcome. As a practice, we believe in forming a dialogue with the local authority once a proposal has been penned, to gain informal advice before moving forward into the planning stage of a project.

In order to gain planning permission, we not only need to satisfy the requirements of the local authority itself, but we also need to gain the full support from the Parish Council in which a site falls under. There are also sites in which other ‘local groups’ can take a vested interest; for example wildlife enthusiasts.

Our attention, when designing a project within a location with a National Park designation, must be given to the choice and use of materials, the integration of habitats within a proposal (to encourage biodiversity) and minimising light pollution. Rooflights aren’t necessarily discouraged but care should be taken to mitigate against the emission of artificial light at night; both through rooflights and through large expanses of glazing. We must also be mindful of the various planning policies that govern the different parts of the National Park.

The planning process doesn’t necessarily taken any longer in National Parks, but it shouldn’t be assumed that just because a proposal is simple, that there won’t be any issues. The architecture needs to be respectful of the vernacular of the area, taking account of the use and type of materials within the immediate context, the roof styles, fenestration design and even the boundary treatment - this should all be analysed at the outset.

Whilst many of the villages within National Parks have their own distinctive character, there is however, a strong argument for contemporary additions within heritage and significant contexts. Contemporary architecture can still have a place but it must sit harmoniously within this setting.