“CAREFULLY considered” plans for a four-bedroom sustainable home in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have been submitted.

The scheme, designed and submitted by Tate+Co, would see the home developed in the grounds of Hillside Cottage, owned by Henry Ashworth, at Donhead St Mary.

The application to Wiltshire Council said the site offers “an opportunity to propose a more sensitively integrated building” than nearby houses.

It would minimise the “visual impact of the house to fit in with the existing landscape and AONB designation”, it went on.

Through discussions with Richard Burden, a planning officer at the Cranborne Chase AONB, the scheme seeks to address issues such as dark skies and sustainability, it added.

“This development would create a four-bedroom house with generous living spaces and multiple outdoor spaces,” the application said.

“The new house is two storeys and takes advantage of the existing views and topography.

“Our approach is to propose a new, low-energy, sustainable dwelling of architectural distinction, set within the substantial plot.”

The design aims to make the house blend into the countryside. Picture: Tate+Co/Wiltshire Council

The house would be built on a plot of around 0.24 hectares, previously part of the gardens at Hillside Cottage.

“The design has been carefully considered to reflect the sloping landscape, following the flow of the landform, so that only the top storey is visible when approaching from the south.”

The proposed home “takes advantage of this unique site to propose a modern, sensitive building of high architectural quality, while still remaining responsive to its context”, it added.

The building includes plans for an “elevated walkway”, “open-plan dining room and kitchen with fantastic views” and an “outdoor terrace which receives the afternoon and evening sun”, the plans said.

The scheme will now be considered by Wiltshire Council planners. For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2024/03052.