Magnificent new country mansion planned for Cotswolds
Date : 26 January 2010
Plans for a stunning new country house on the site of a former 19th Century mansion at Wotton-Under-Edge have been approved by Stroud District Council and the 379-acre estate is now up for sale through Knight Frank.
When built, The Ridge, which is in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be one of the finest traditional country houses to be built anywhere in the country for the last 100 years.
The proposed new house, designed by highly-respected Cirencester-based Yiangou Architects LLP, replaces a mansion built in the early 1800s in neo-classical style by George Repton, the son of well known landscape architect Humphry Repton. After falling into disrepair, the original mansion was demolished in 1934.
Peter Yiangou, partner at the Cirencester-based architecture practice, said: “The Ridge is set in one of the most stunning parts of the Cotswolds, with views across the valley to the River Severn.
“We worked very closely with our clients and other consultants to arrive at a design which does justice to the beauty of the location. We also received encouraging responses from many local people during our consultations who welcome plans to build a substantial new house on this historic site.”
Stroud District Council’s Conservation Officer described the project as ‘A Cotswold stage waiting the star turn’.
Yiangou’s design reflects the classic proportions of the original building and brings the landscape back to its former glory.
The proposed new house, which would provide 3105 square metres of floor space, has high levels of sustainable design built in, including ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, rainwater and greywater harvesting and a heat recovery ventilation system.
The accommodation includes 11 main bedrooms, four staff flats, six reception rooms, orangery, a grand hall and staircase, underground cinema, indoor pool and gym, cloister and stable block.
Peter said: “Our new design reflects the scale and grandeur of the original house. In particular, the front elevation works in harmony with the very special landscape using the backdrop of the Severn valley.”
“It is rare to have the opportunity to design a new landmark building in the traditional style, particularly as developers and local planning authorities across the country continue to favour contemporary over classic design,” he added. “At Yiangou Architects this is a welcome and increasingly rare opportunity to celebrate traditional architecture, amongst the all contemporary work we are doing.”
Atty Beor-Roberts from Knight Frank in Cirencester says “This permission will provide one of the finest houses that I have marketed in my 25 years with Knight Frank”.
For further information, please contact:
Atty Beor-Roberts, Partner, Knight Frank, 01285 659771
atty.beor-roberts@knightfrank.com
Notes to Editors
Knight Frank LLP is the leading independent global property consultancy. Headquartered in London, Knight Frank and its New York-based global partner, Newmark Knight Frank, operate from 207 offices, in 43 countries, across six continents. More than 6,340 professionals handle in excess of US$886 billion (£594 billion) worth of commercial, agricultural and residential real estate annually, advising clients ranging from individual owners and buyers to major developers, investors and corporate tenants. For further information about the Company, please visit www.knightfrank.com.