Planning was granted for a new dwelling on this site in open countryside as an exception to strict planning policy that would otherwise prohibit it. By closely examining the remains of the ruined structure, we built a base of evidence that demonstrated to the local authority that this was an unrecognised and important heritage asset at risk of complete loss; and that its conversion to a dwelling represented a viable route to preserving it.

Situated on the southern edge of the Dorset Downs, this spectacular and remote site is tucked into an ancient valley, accessed along its own mile-long access track. Surrounded by prehistoric and medieval archaeology, the landscape is marked by thousands of years of inhabitation, which ended early in the 20th century when the medieval farmstead fell into disrepair and ruin. The original medieval farmhouse has long been demolished. What remains of the settlement are the ruins of an impressive 16th /17th century threshing barn with 19th century additions, a walled farmyard, and a pair of ruined workers' cottages.

TYPE was appointed to create a new house on the site, reinhabiting the ancient farmstead as a home and base for farming the surrounding 200 acres, where conservation grazing is managed to create and maintain habitat for rare downland species. Working closely with heritage experts, conservation, and planning officers, we tested multiple approaches to the re-use of the site. We settled on a proposal that would conserve and integrate the important threshing barn and reinstate this as one open volume at the core of the house. To provide bedrooms, bathrooms and other supporting functions, a new build wing was proposed, inhabiting one side of the former farmyard, partly set into the hillside to reduce impact on the landscape and threshing barn.

The materials of the new wing combine stone, timber and sheet metal, referencing the 20th century agricultural vernacular of the site’s recent history. These materials are tinted with hues derived from the natural landscape to soften and integrate the building in its context, and reflect an approach to inhabiting a landscape more sympathetic to the natural world.

The ruined stonework of the threshing barn clearly shows the recesses formed for a raised cruck timber roof structure. A new contemporary interpretation of a raised cruck frame is proposed, using the existing stone niches and bay spacing.

An ecologically rich garden within the courtyard, a new natural stream-fed pond and orchard planting complement the biodiversity enhancements already underway on the surrounding land.

The project carefully edits the buildings and structures on site to produce an exciting new dwelling, informed by the site’s development over time, and enabling a 21st century phase of inhabitation which is sensitive to landscape and ecology.

Planning was granted in summer 2024.