Five Oaks House
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Property type: New Build
Scope: Planning Permission for a new build dwelling
Size / area: Approx. 290m² new build
Budget band: £750K-£1m
Completed: Planning Achieved 2025
A new family home in the greenbelt & AONB.
The clients wanted a modern family home that made better use of their generous site. The existing house was poorly arranged, outdated, and tightly positioned against the eastern boundary. With compromised headroom, inadequate insulation, and a series of low-quality outbuildings scattered across the garden, the site had far more potential than the original dwelling could offer.
Following a feasibility study, it became clear that a replacement home would deliver a stronger long-term outcome: better sustainability, a far more efficient layout, and a meaningful improvement to the landscape setting.
We led the project from feasibility through concept design, including the planning strategy for a sensitive AONB and Green Belt context. We guided the clients through options, established the case for demolition, and developed a landscape-led proposal that aligns with local policy and the High Weald Design Guide. Our work included building placement, massing, technical strategy, material specification, sustainability measures, and visualisations for the planning submission. Planning permission was approved in summer 2025 for a 70% enlargement over the existing dwelling.
The new home is positioned centrally within the site, increasing distance from neighbours and softening its presence in the landscape. Its form follows two pitched roof volumes — one single-storey, one two-storey—giving the building a modest scale while creating a practical family layout.
The architecture draws on local characteristics: clay tiles, brickwork, and sweet chestnut cladding sourced from local suppliers. Large windows frame views of the re-naturalised garden, while careful orientation avoids overlooking and reduces the risk of overheating.
A major part of the scheme is the landscape strategy. Removing the concrete driveway and scattered outbuildings allows the rear garden to be transformed into a meadow with mown paths, new trees and ecological enhancements. This approach improves biodiversity and strengthens the site’s relationship with its rural setting.
The design replaces a compromised, ageing structure with a well-proportioned, highly efficient family home. The new layout brings generous living spaces to the rear, opening directly onto the garden. Privacy is improved for both the clients and neighbours. The building’s quiet, natural material palette helps it sit comfortably within the AONB, while the landscape improvements contribute positively to the wider area.
Operational carbon will reduce significantly through high levels of insulation, MVHR, heat-pump technology and future-ready provision for solar generation. The result is a home that not only works better day-to-day but also performs responsibly long term.
“From the very start of the process both Simon and Frances worked extremely hard to create a vision of a beautiful family home situated in a lovely surrounding garden. They offered advice and support too which was all gratefully received as this is a huge undertaking both financially and emotionally too.
Fantastic service.”
