A new chapter for an established home.Churchstanton, Somerset / Design proposal · September 2026
01 / A SENSE OF PLACE
The landscape comes first.
A home should belong to its landscape, and make everyday life feel easier.
Kestrel is a proposed replacement for the existing dwelling on Brimley Road. A single-storey home, a family annexe and sheltered gardens are brought together by a flowing roofline and a close relationship with the land.
Follow the journey from the approach to the rooms within, then out into the garden and the wider setting.
A much-loved Acer holds a special place in the family’s story. The courtyard gives it a central place in the home.
Filtered light, natural materials and sheltered planting create an intimate garden to enjoy through the seasons.
The courtyard · Design visualisation
03 / INSIDE — TOGETHER
Light. Warmth. Room to breathe.
Living, cooking and gathering share one open space. Natural light, a sweeping ceiling and views into the garden shape its character.
Design visualisation03 / INSIDE — RETREAT
A private retreat.
A more private part of the home, with soft light and a connection to the garden. Accessible movement and long-term adaptability remain central design aims.
The landscape is part of the design from the beginning. The emerging proposals connect the house to a mosaic of meadow, hedges, trees and water.
Working with the landscape architect, the team is developing planting and ground levels that soften the building’s presence and support a richer range of habitats.
WATER, PLANTING AND A QUIETER PACE
A different rhythm.
Illustrative natural swimming area · Pool and planting design under development
01 / MEADOW
Let the seasons show.
Meadow and grassland management is proposed to encourage a more varied habitat and soften the transition from garden to countryside.
02 / HEDGES & TREES
Strengthen the green edges.
Traditional hedge banks and native planting form part of the emerging strategy. Tree protection and the treatment of the mature oak are being coordinated with the design.
03 / WATER & WILDLIFE
Build on what is here.
Enhancement of the existing pond, with reed and wetland planting where appropriate, is being explored alongside a separate natural swimming area.
These are design intentions. The planting plan, tree works and habitat measures are being finalised. Riverside woodland is a wider landholding ambition; its relationship to the application is still to be confirmed.
06 / THE WIDER PICTURE
Seen in context.
Landscape views and elevation studies explore how the house could sit within its surroundings. These are illustrations of the design intent; seasonal visibility is being considered through the landscape assessment.
Proposed site plan · Artistic interpretation, not a measured drawing
CHURCHSTANTON, SOMERSET
A place within the Blackdown Hills.
An established residential site beside Brimley Road, within a landscape of fields, tree boundaries and woodland.
Careful siting, ground levels and planting are intended to help the proposed home belong to this setting.
View 01
From architecture to landscape
Realistic elevationArtistic landscape study
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Scroll to reveal the landscape
View 02
From architecture to landscape
Realistic elevationArtistic landscape study
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Scroll to reveal the landscape
View 03
From architecture to landscape
Realistic elevationArtistic landscape study
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Scroll to reveal the landscape
View 04
From architecture to landscape
Realistic elevationArtistic landscape study
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Scroll to reveal the landscape
Illustrative landscape and elevation studies. The images are not verified photomontages; the application drawings and supporting assessments will provide the formal information.
07 / FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS
Good design starts with consideration.
We know a new home raises questions. Here is how the proposal is approaching its setting, and what is still being worked through.
The approach · Architectural visualisation
What is being proposed?+
A replacement for the existing home at Kesel, Brimley Road, presented here under the proposed name Kestrel. The design includes a single-storey main home, a family annexe, garage and associated landscaping.
The final application drawings will define the exact scope of the works.
How will the house sit in its surroundings?+
The design uses the slope, lower building elements, a partly embedded garage and planting to reduce its visual prominence. Its position and ground levels have been refined as the design has developed.
Views from the surrounding area, including through trees and hedges in winter, are being considered through the landscape assessment.
What about privacy, lighting and noise?+
The approach-facing side is designed to be more enclosed, with the main living spaces opening towards the garden and wider landscape.
External lighting, light spill from glazing and the location and noise of heating or cooling equipment are matters for detailed coordination as the technical design develops.
Will trees be retained and new planting added?+
Retaining the mature oak near the annexe is a design priority, subject to tree and root-protection advice. Some tree removals are being considered, including ash affected by dieback and trees close to the proposed works.
New native planting, hedge banks and meadow management are proposed. The final landscape and tree-protection plans will explain retention, removals and replacement planting.
How is energy use being considered?+
Daylight, shading and natural ventilation are part of the design approach. A ground-source heat pump is the preferred option being investigated.
Solar panels on an ancillary barn are a possible later phase, and battery storage is under consideration. Their specification and expected performance will be confirmed through the developing energy strategy.
What about construction and access?+
A construction programme and delivery arrangements have not yet been confirmed. Access, vehicle movements, working hours and measures to manage dust and noise will need to be addressed before work begins.
Those details should be shared with neighbours when they are available.
How can I comment on the application?+
Once the application is registered, formal comments should be submitted through Somerset Council’s planning service. The Council’s register is the source for the application documents, reference, consultation dates and decision.
This website introduces the proposal and is not a formal consultation portal.
We are sharing the design to help neighbours understand the home, its landscape and the thinking behind it.
This presentation reflects the project information available through 17 September 2026. A validated application reference and consultation dates are not yet included here. Please check the Council’s register for the current position.
