Coach house is an extension refurbishment and extension of a 19th Century Coach house on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells located within the Royal Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Conservation area. The proposal seeks to enhance the best features of the house by removing the unsightly lean-to conservatory to the west of the house and adding a contemporary infill extension to the North. The glass break between the existing and house and new conservatory will clearly delineate between new and old and allows the turned brick eaves detail to be retained. Existing PVC glazing and external wall infill where the existing garage doors were located will be removed and replaced with contemporary metal glazing.

The design concept is to extend the original 19th century brick coach house with a contrasting charred timber ‘barn’. This references the existing Kentish rural barn structures on the site and adjacent parkland. This new West-facing wing that will envelop a new garden courtyard and have extensive views out across the parkland landscape. The new extension will rebalance the orientation of the existing house out towards the South parkland as it was originally built as a functional stable block that simply addressed the incoming track. The house has since developed into a significant family house within an area of unique significance within Tunbridge Wells that needs to be redesigned to address its siting in a positive and well-considered way.

Planning permission was granted in May 2020 and work is ongoing on site.

The driveway has been redesigned to minimise its visual impact yet create adequate space for vehicle hardstanding, turning and accommodation in front of the house. A sunken garage with a green roof will allow secure parking whilst retaining the rural character of the parkland.

The excavated section of track is redirected in order to avoid damage to the roots of retained mature trees along the east boundary, this enables it to arrive at the hardstanding level on the central axis of the main house. The main entrance to the house addresses the hardstanding forecourt with adjacent planting to provide privacy screening to the lower courtyard beyond. The courtyard garden, enclosed on the north and east sides by the existing house and extension, extends around to the existing terrace on the west side of the house off which there are steps down to a new level lawn extending west and to the existing terrace garden along the north side of the house. A low stone retaining wall to match the existing adjacent west terrace runs along the south side of the courtyard garden as an edge to planting and the pool.