Modern Craft in the Devon Countryside: Inside the Larch Houses

We’re always excited to be appointed to undertake new projects located in the countryside and the recently completed Larch Houses at Manley Farm in Tiverton show how contemporary architecture can be successfully woven into a rural context.

Built by Huntworth Developments Ltd, North Larch House and South Larch House make up an exclusive micro-development of just two bespoke detached homes. They manage to balance the natural beauty of the Devon landscape with modern design. By combining contemporary materiality with highly practical layouts, these homes are a masterclass in light, spatial flow, and sustainability.

Form, Flow, and Light

Good architecture is all about how a space makes you feel the moment you walk in. Each of these homes offers a generous footprint of around 3,336 sq ft, and the spatial narrative kicks off instantly with a fantastic double-height reception hall. It’s a soaring, light-filled void anchored by a beautifully crafted oak staircase that draws your eye right up to the galleried landing above.

The ground floor layout perfectly understands the rhythm of modern living, playing with the balance between open, social zones and quieter, cellular spaces. The core of the home is a huge open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space designed to be the social hub. But because open-plan living isn't always the answer to everything, the design thoughtfully carves out a separate sitting room and a dedicated quiet study.

We particularly love how the indoor-outdoor threshold. Expansive bi-folding doors essentially dissolve the walls, extending the living space seamlessly out onto the terraces. Because the landscaped gardens are oriented to the west, the architecture actively captures the warmth of that golden afternoon and evening sunlight.

A Fabric-First Approach to Performance

You can’t talk about contemporary architectural design without talking about environmental performance. These homes take a rigorous 'fabric-first' approach, meaning the building itself does a lot of the heavy lifting to reduce its carbon footprint.

The integration of green technology is incredibly clever but totally unobtrusive:

• Air Source Heat Pumps: Providing a highly efficient, low-carbon solution for heating and hot water.

• Smart Glass: Used across the expansive glazing, this is a brilliant architectural touch. It actively manages solar gain, preventing the beautifully glazed rooms from overheating in the summer while locking in the warmth during the winter.

• Zoned Underfloor Heating: Giving you precise, room-by-room climate control across the entire ground floor footprint.

Sanctuary Spaces

Heading upstairs, the galleried landing acts as a bridge between the lively ground floor and the private retreat of the bedrooms. The spatial hierarchy up here feels incredibly generous and calm.

The five bedrooms are laid out to give everyone their own space:

• The Principal Suite: A real sanctuary, complete with a dedicated dressing area and a beautifully detailed en suite bathroom.

• The Guest Suite: Featuring its own en suite shower room, offering privacy for visiting family or friends.

• Three Further Bedrooms: Generous, flexible spaces that share access to a meticulously finished family bathroom.

The Larch Houses are a wonderful reminder that rural homes don't have to be stuck in the past. By mixing contemporary materials with thoughtful, human-centric design and high-tech sustainability, this beautiful little development at Manley Farm feels like a breath of fresh air in the Devon countryside.

These properties are currently on the market and please see the link http://www.huntworth.co.uk/ for more information.

Breathing New Life into Somerset Barns: Navigating Class Q Conversions

The dream of converting a rustic Somerset barn into a stunning contemporary home is incredibly exciting. We completely understand the emotional pull of these beautiful agricultural structures and the desire to preserve their heritage. But we also know that navigating the planning system can feel daunting and frustrating.

That is exactly why we are here to demystify "Class Q" permitted development—the golden ticket for many barn conversions. We want to ground your grand visions in the reality of current planning laws so your project actually gets built.

What Exactly is Class Q?

Class Q is a form of permitted development rights in England that allows you to convert agricultural buildings into residential dwellings without needing a traditional, full planning application. It is designed to bring redundant farm buildings back into use, bypassing some of the usual greenbelt or countryside planning hurdles.

However, Class Q is not a free pass. It requires a "Prior Approval" process. Furthermore, following the significant legislative updates that phased out old rules in 2025, the rulebook for 2026 is stricter in some areas and much more flexible in others.

The 2026 Class Q Rulebook: Essential Need-to-Knows

If you are eyeing a barn in Somerset, here is the factual, grounded reality of what your building needs to qualify for Class Q today:

• The 150 sqm Limit: You can create up to 10 dwellings on a single agricultural unit (up to a combined maximum of 1,000 sqm). However, no single dwelling can exceed 150 sqm. The days of creating massive, sprawling single-dwelling estates directly under Class Q are over. If you want a larger home, you will need to secure Class Q first, and then look at a "betterment" planning application later on.

• The Crucial Date: The building must have been part of an agricultural unit on or before July 24, 2023. If it was not, or if it was built after that date, different timelines apply.

• Conversion, Not Rebuild: This is the most common pitfall. Class Q is strictly for conversions. Your barn must be structurally sound enough to take the new loads (like a new roof or heavy insulation) without needing new foundations or a complete rebuild. A structural survey at the very start is an absolute must.

• Access is Non-Negotiable: The site must have an existing, suitable access to a public highway. You cannot create a brand-new access road under Class Q.

• New Extensions Allowed: You are now permitted to add a single-storey rear extension (up to 4m deep), provided it sits on hardstanding that was already in place on or before July 24, 2023.

The Somerset Catch: Protected Landscapes

We live and work in one of the most beautiful counties in the UK, but Somerset's natural beauty comes with planning caveats. Class Q does not apply in protected areas.

If your barn is located in any of the following, the permitted development rights are removed, and you will need to apply for full planning permission instead:

• National Parks (e.g., Exmoor)

• National Landscapes / Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (e.g., The Quantock Hills, Mendip Hills, Blackdown Hills)

• Conservation Areas

• Listed Buildings or their immediate curtilage

At Tandem Architects, we always cross-reference your site against local Somerset planning maps before you spend a penny on design work to ensure we are taking the correct route.

The Prior Approval Process

While you don't need full planning permission, you must submit a Prior Approval application to your local Somerset council. They will assess specific, limited impacts, including:

Assessment AreaWhat the Council Looks ForHighwaysSafe entry and exit, and the impact of any extra traffic generated by the home.Noise & ContaminationEnsuring the home won't be too noisy (e.g., situated right next to a working dairy) and the ground is free of agricultural chemical contamination.Flood RiskVital in low-lying parts of Somerset; ensuring the dwelling and its access routes are safe from flooding.Design & LightAdequate natural light in all habitable rooms and ensuring external alterations are "reasonably necessary" for the building to function as a home.

How Tandem Architects Can Help

It is easy to get swept up in the romance of vaulted ceilings and exposed timber, but a successful barn conversion requires cold, hard facts and rigorous structural planning first.

At Tandem Architects, we bridge the gap between your dream and the planning reality. We coordinate the vital structural appraisals, design creatively within the strict 150 sqm limits to maximize your space, and compile the complex Prior Approval applications to satisfy local Somerset planners. And if your barn falls outside Class Q, we can guide you through the traditional planning route with an expertly crafted design.

Shaping Somerset’s Future: Navigating the New HELAA Report and ‘Call for Sites’

The landscape of Somerset is evolving. With the recent publication of Somerset Council’s Interim Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) Report in June 2026, the blueprint for the county's development over the coming decades is beginning to take shape.

Alongside this crucial evidence base, the Council has officially re-opened its Call for Sites on a rolling basis. For landowners, developers, and local communities, this represents a significant window of opportunity. But what exactly do these technical planning terms mean, and how can thoughtful architectural design elevate a site from a mere plot of land to a viable, thriving future community?

At Tandem Architects, we believe that proactive placemaking starts long before a planning application is ever submitted. Here is our guide to understanding the HELAA, the rolling Call for Sites, and how to present your land in the best possible light.

Understanding the HELAA and the Local Plan

The HELAA is essentially a high-level technical audit. Following the initial Call for Sites in early 2025, the Council assessed over 1,600 submissions to determine which parcels of land across Somerset might be suitable to meet future housing, commercial, employment, and community needs up to the year 2045.

It is important to note that inclusion in the HELAA does not grant planning permission, nor does it guarantee a site will be allocated in the final Somerset Local Plan. Instead, it filters sites based on three core criteria:

• Suitability: Is the site located in a sustainable area, free from insurmountable environmental or heritage constraints?

• Availability: Is the landowner willing and able to bring the site forward for development?

• Achievability: Is the development economically viable, considering current market factors and infrastructure requirements?

The best outcome a site can achieve at this stage is being deemed "potentially suitable". This is exactly where a strategic, design-led approach becomes invaluable.

The Rolling Call for Sites: A Window of Opportunity

Because planning is a dynamic process, Somerset Council has sensibly re-opened the Call for Sites. Submissions made now will be held on record and evaluated for the next iteration of the HELAA, anticipated in Autumn 2027.

Whether you own a redundant agricultural barn, a parcel of edge-of-settlement land, or an under-utilised commercial brownfield site, the Council is actively seeking land to fulfil the Government's housing targets and drive local economic growth.

"A successful site submission requires more than just drawing a red line on an Ordnance Survey map; it requires a compelling, deliverable vision."

Why Architectural Input Matters at the Submission Stage

When promoting land to the Council, demonstrating that a site is not only available but capable of delivering high-quality, sustainable development is vital. Somerset has specific, complex planning nuances—such as stringent phosphate mitigation requirements and mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)—which must be factored into any serious land promotion.

Tandem Architects wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Photo by Lisanto 李奕良 on Unsplash‍ ‍

Site Progress at Low Ham, Somerset

Works are ongoing to Phase 2 of a single-storey barn conversion located in Low Ham, Somerset. After undertaking renovation works last year, construction has now progressed to the new extension of the barn to create an expanded open-plan living space. It is intended that, once completed, the new annexe will be used by our client as future carer’s accommodation.

New Residential Development at Manley Farm, Tiverton, Devon

Works are currently underway at Manley Farm near Tiverton, Devon for 2 contemporary 5 bedroom dwellings with open plan ground floor living space consists of a large 2 storey entrance hall, spacious kitchen/dining area and lounge. At first floor level there is a link bridge that connects the bedroom wing to the main entrance hall area and Master Bedroom.

The external appearance of the building will consist of dark timber cladding with powder coated aluminium doors and windows and standing seam roof.

Site Progress on new extensions at Curry Rivel

Works are progressing well on a project in Curry Rivel, currently near to completion the proposals were to replace an existing uninsulated extension to the main house with a new bespoke two storey and single storey extension. The works also comprise of internal alterations to create a central circulation space with new rear entrance hall, Kitchen, Garden Room, Utility Area, Family Bathroom and Master Bedroom with En-suite.

The new Garden Room, Kitchen and Master Bedroom take advantages of view to the rear garden and surrounding countryside.

Site Progress at West Lydford

Works are making excellent progress at the site in West Lydford, Somerset for a new single storey residential property. Initial site clearance works have been undertaken, drainage installed, foundations poured and the new block and beam floor laid.

Update of Renovation & Extension to Bells Cottage, Somerset

Works are making excellent progress at Bells Cottage in Somerset. The roof is currently undergoing re-slating after the bat-friendly (Bat Safe) breather membrane was successfully installed. Simultaneously, internal renovations are underway, with the development of new rooms, insulation, plastering, and the installation of underfloor heating all moving forward swiftly.

Hartrow Farm Residential Development Nearing Completion

Evan House has now been completed within the development of Hartrow Farm. Located on a split level site Evan House is located on the lower level with outstanding views of the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel. The site sits in a beautiful and unspoilt rural location on the edge of the Brendon Hills and Exmoor National Park.

North Petherton, Somerset, Barn Conversion

Work is nearing completion to convert a redundant machinery barn into a 4 bedroom property near North Petherton, Somerset.

Cossington, Somerset, New Build Dwelling

Works were completed near the end of last year on a new build house, designed to be built into the contours of the existing land with internal splits levels. The main living area being located on the lower level and bedroom accommodation on the higher. Externally a grass roof was used to reduce the impact of the new property in its surroundings.

Renovation & Extension to Bells Cottage

We were asked by Dave & Helen to obtain planning and building regulations for their renovation and extension of Bells Cottage. Works started late last year and are progressing well and Helen has created an Instagram page where the progress can be followed Bells Cottage (@backatbellscottage) • Instagram photos and videos

Tandem Architects wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Building Regulations Notice of Commencement

The latest legislative changes relating to The Building Safety Act 2022 were to be published at the end of latest month with changes to be made to commencement and completion requirements.

Please see the summary of changes to commencement and completion requirements that may impact your projects. A link to the legislation can be found here - The Building Safety Act: secondary legislation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Notice of Commencement

As of 1st October 2023, for applications to be considered as started for the purposes of Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010; and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984, the works will need to have progressed to at least one of the following:

1. Progressed to damp proof course level (if foundations are applicable); or

2. 15% completion of the overall project

Under Regulation 16 (3C) it is now a legal requirement that within five days after the work has commenced, the person carrying out work must give notice to the Building Control Body.

Please note that this does not change the requirement for a valid Building Control application to be submitted to Building Control prior to any works commencing on site. The above stages are only relevant to Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010 and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984.

Notice of Completion

A Compliance Notice will be required for ALL Projects that are subject to a Building Regulations Application upon 5 days of the completion of works. A template for this notice will be issued and sent to the applicant/agent when the acknowledgement letter is issued. We will not be able to issue a completion certificate until all relevant parties have signed this.

The Notice of Completion will require the following information: The name, address, telephone number and (if available) email address of the client, principal contractor, and principal designer.

A statement will be required from the applicant to say that the works have been completed and complies with all the applicable regulations to the best of their knowledge.

A statement will also be required from both the principal contractor and principal designer (if applicable) to confirm they have fulfilled their duties under Part 2A (duty holders and competence). The duties for this can be found here - The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk)

August Update

Since our last blog it has been a busy 9 months with a number of projects obtaining planning and us preparing building regulations drawings for these scheme and then getting them on site.

In the past month we have obtained planning consent for 5 new houses in Lydeard St Lawrence. Whilst works have been progressing with speed in Cossington and Oxford.