Glass house opposed by conservationists for light spill

PLANS to replace a Sixties bungalow in Cookley Green with a four-bedroom house and garage have been opposed by the Chilterns Conservation Board.

The new house would be an energy efficient two-storey house with floor-to-ceiling windows on every side.

Facit Homes, the planning agent, says the windows would “realise the full potential of the site with its far-reaching views, abundant wildlife and beautiful mature garden”.

But the board says this would cause harmful light spill. It says the design approach is “out of character with inappropriate use of materials in this context, combined with the scale proposed at the first floor level”.

The board adds: “We welcome a more recessive approach to the first-floor design and one with a redesign of glazing to avoid unnecessary light spill or glare into the wider landscape.

“This would protect, indeed conserve, the wider contextual setting of the settlement and maintain the dark skies tranquillity that predominates in this part of the semi-wooded landscape within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

CPRE, the countryside charity in Oxfordshire, has also raised the issue of light spill.

It says: “The house has been designed to be light and airy and the triple-glazed windows would allow large amounts of natural daylight in. However, the issue of harmful light spill is not addressed. The recessed design of some upper floor windows and the first-floor overhang may prevent some light spill but to improve the situation we suggest the use of special glazing to reduce the transmission of visible light.”

Architect Andy MacDougall said: “The issue of light spillage is an important consideration as part of this application. While the design team is of the view that any light spillage would not be harmful, we acknowledge the board’s comments and will be liaising with the planning authority to resolve any concerns that might remain."