A Dream Family Home at Heanton Farm in Devon

Planning permission has been granted for a beautiful four‑bedroom replacement dwelling at Heanton Farm, set within open countryside between Braunton and Barnstaple. The approval represents an important milestone for our clients as they move closer to realising their dream family home in this exceptional rural setting.

The proposal replaces an existing dwelling of limited architectural merit with a carefully considered new home, alongside new landscaping and associated parking. The site enjoys far‑reaching views across the Devon landscape and the design responds sensitively to its wider context, including the nearby Grade II listed Church of St Augustine.

Architecturally, the approved dwelling adopts a traditional form with pitched roofs and gables, maintaining a familiar countryside silhouette while incorporating refined contemporary detailing. Positioned to the west of the site and set at the foot of the driveway, the building follows the natural contours of the land. Its east–west orientation has been carefully considered to optimise solar gain and maximise views.

The house is arranged around a refined ‘slipped H’ plan, creating sheltered courtyards and outward‑facing terraces that balance privacy with a strong connection to the landscape. Internally, the layout supports flexible family living, with open‑plan living spaces, quieter functional areas, and four first‑floor bedrooms, including a master suite with views across the Devon countryside.

The planning process involved close engagement with the local authority, particularly in relation to Policy DM26. Careful control of scale, massing and siting ensured that the replacement dwelling is no more visually intrusive than the existing house and, in several respects, less perceptible from key viewpoints.

This project has been a genuinely rewarding collaboration. Our clients were thrilled to receive the approval, describing it as a “magical stepping stone” towards seeing their drawings become a lived‑in home. We are very grateful to have worked with such engaged and positive clients and look forward to continuing the journey as their home moves from paper into reality.