Two-storey home extension at Tudor Cottage Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester

What was proposed

The application proposed a two-storey rear extension and replacement of the north elevation dormer coverings.

“This application seeks planning permission for a proposed two storey rear extension and the replacement of the north elevation dormer coverings at Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton.”

Officer report

The site

Tudor Cottage is a Grade II listed building in a conservation area, beside protected trees and public rights of way.

“Tudor Cottage is a Grade II listed building. The list entry for Tudor Cottage states: House. C17 with mid-C19 and late C20 alterations. Timber-frame on rendered plinth, painted brick infill, tile roof. Two framed bays aligned east/west, with a lower framed bay to west end, gable end stacks, C20 extension to east. South front: one…”

“Grade II Listed Building • Conservation Area • Tree Preservation Order - TPO/W/034 (2025) • Adjacent to PRoWs…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the cumulative additions and the proposed design would dominate and harm the listed building, without public benefits to outweigh that harm.

“The proposed extension is two storey in nature, extending from the northwest elevation of the 1970s half of the property. Whilst the extension itself would only create one additional room on each floor, the cumulative impact of all the existing and proposed extensions must be considered.”

“Furthermore, the design and layout of the proposed extension would not be sympathetic to the character of the listed building. The existing 1970s addition can be considered sympathetic to the linear form of the historic dwelling. The introduction of a rear extension would interrupt this linear design. Also, the extension’s roof would also have an incongruous appearance due to the Dutch gable roof, for which there is no precedent within the existing dwelling.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council raised no objection, highways sought driveway surfacing, drainage found the water details satisfactory, and the conservation officer identified heritage harm.

“Drainage Engineer: The details in the Water Management Statement are, in principle, satisfactory.”

“Conservation Officer: The historic core of the property is shown on the epoch 1 map (1843-1893) as a simple two bay property, typical of a Worcestershire rural workers dwelling of the period. As a result of these extensions the cumulative impact is that the extensions risk dominating the heritage asset. It is acknowledged that the proposed extension is situated at the east end of the 70s extension. This is presumably to help reduce the visual impact on the heritage asset.”

Officer report

Support for the proposal

Seven named supporters backed the application, citing its lack of public-road visibility, small size, discreet position and limited intrusion.

“Graham Hobbs – Arden Cottage, Abbots Morton Road Simon Parker – Blackberry Cottage, Abbots Morton Road Julie Cadbury – Home Farm Cottage, Abbots Morton Road Alastair Carew-Cox – Home Farm, Abbots Morton Road Carolyn Ernest – The Old Barn, Abbots Morton Road Martin and Patricia Willingale – Edwalyn Close, Abbots Morton Road Debra Carew-Cox – Home Farm, Abbots Morton Road…”

“Not visible from the public road • Not unreasonable or intrusive • Small in size • Away from oldest part of the property…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in favour, while the local member explained the referral, local support, restoration work and concerns about conflicting heritage advice.

The committee decision

The committee resolved to delegate authority to grant planning permission with an appropriate set of conditions.

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission with an appropriate set of conditions attached.”

Minutes