APPROVAL has been granted for a new garden building used as home office space to replace an existing greenhouse.

An agent of Doonan Architects Ltd submitted the planning application for Greystones, 24 Painshawfield Road, Stocksfield, which was recommended for approval by planning officers at Northumberland County Council.

Greystones, built in approximately 1905, is a detached Edwardian property comprising various period features. 

The proposal, to create a new studio and office space to replace the existing greenhouse, will be built on the grounds of the private property.

The design and access statement said: "The proposed garden building comprises two single-storey volumes, stepping up towards the garage with the topography of the driveway; as such the proposal is subservient to Greystones and proportionate to the garage.

"The area around the proposed garden building is to be re-landscaped with a mix of hard landscaping (stone / concrete paths and paving), soft landscaping (planted borders, hedging), and rockeries. This matches the existing character of the garden and embeds the building in its context."

The statement added the new building is 'conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the existing characteristic features of Greystones, the existing garage, and its landscaped gardens'.

It concluded: "It is therefore considered that the proposal for the creation of the proposed studio and office building at Greystones is appropriate development and in accordance with both Local and National Planning Policy."

No objection was submitted on ecological grounds.

The ecologist's report said: "The proposed development is unlikely to impact protected or notable species, designated nature conservation sites or priority habitat. In accordance with planning policy the development should provide a net gain for biodiversity which can be achieved through the provision of two bird nest boxes, secured through a planning condition." 

Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council submitted a comment stating it had 'no comment to make in respect of this application'.

The Painshawfield Estate Committee is a locally elected body that considers proposals for the estate to ‘preserve the character and amenity of the Estate’.

The committee recommended approval for the application.

For more information, go to the council's planning portal and search reference number 23/04391/FUL.