Woman wins long battle to build herself a home underground

Alexandra Wood

A VILLAGER has won her seven-year battle to build an underground home in a hillside next to an ancient East Riding church.

Alison Botten has been trying to get a house on the site at Garton-on-the-Wolds next to Grade I listed St Michael’s Church since 2003.

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The single-storey two-bedroom home will be partially buried in a slope and have a turfed roof which should not be visible to the public.

But the plans ran into opposition from the parish council and parochial church council, with church officials claiming the removal of a large amount of soil would affect drainage and could even disturb graves. Despite planners recommending approval, the latest plans were rejected by East Riding councillors last November.

However planning inspector Keith Turner has now granted planning permission on appeal – and praised the developers’ “innovative” approach.

Costs were partially awarded against East Riding Council.

Miss Botten, an internet retailer, said she was thrilled with the outcome and “was still pinching herself” that it was true. She feels local people will be more accepting when they see what is actually built.

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Miss Botten – who has weathered two previous failed appeals – said: “It was obvious from the start that we would not get it through the planning committee.

“It has caused an awful lot of upset in the village. I think there has been a core of objectors who haven’t really had any valid reason to object. On the other hand we have had support and those who’ve actually seen the plans have taken a different view.”

Two years ago Miss Botten took on architect Jonathan Hobson, from Beverley-based Ingleby & Hobson Architects, to try to find a way forward.

He said: “This is very much a one-off, but I think there are certain lessons you can apply to other sensitive sites. The idea of an earth-sheltered house is nothing new, but it is particularly relevant now for two reasons.

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“Firstly it is a good device for assimilating a building where the landscape or an adjacent setting is an issue.

“Secondly it inherently well insulated and generally a turf roof is very highly insulated and this is coming into relevance.”

Allowing Miss Botten’s appeal, Mr Turner said: “The design has sought to minimise the visual impact of the dwelling upon the surroundings and upon the church in particular, by partially burying the structure.

“Whilst this would involve some slight modification of the ground contours, I consider it to be an innovative approach which has substantial merit.”

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Ward councillor Symon Fraser said: “There have been a number of planning applications on that site or very close to that site and our ward councillor stance has always been that we have supported parish councillors’ concerns to safeguard the setting of the listed church.”

The new building will have an “organic” curving layout. It will probably be heated by a ground source heat pump and will have a grey water recycling system.

A legal agreement will mean there are no extra homes in the village, as the wing of the nearby farmhouse where Miss Botten lives now will become one dwelling instead of two.

St Michael and All Angels dates back to Norman times, around 1132.

A popular visitor attraction, it forms part of a tour of East Yorkshire churches which were built, rebuilt or restored by the Sykes family of Sledmere House.