Aerial view

Ian Simpson grand design plot goes under hammer

A redundant water reservoir on a 1.2 acre site in Barnacre near Garstang in Lancashire, which has planning permission for an Ian Simpson-designed family home, is among th lots offered via Savills Auctions on 17 June in London, with a guide price of £185,000.

Ian Simpson won a Bishopsrock Properties architectural competition to redesign the site into Equilibrium House. Plans were approved in 2011.

See gallery below

Originally built in 1971 to hold one million gallons of water, the planning consent for Equilibrium House was granted under the special PPS7 rule which permits houses of exceptional quality to be built in open countryside.

The plans allow for a 12,750 sq ft six-bedroom property with open plan reception space containing kitchen, dining room, living room and snug all with large glass windows onto rural views. The design includes a leisure suite with gym, swimming pool, steam room and sauna as well as a games room and cinema. The six bedrooms will be set round the central lounge area, benefiting from countryside views in addition to a large library facility which is intended to be used as a home office base.

Equilibrium House incorporates high levels of thermal insulation and the use of low-energy systems to reduce energy demand, whilst ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels would provide electricity.

The design comprises a green roof designed to support the growth of grass to increase biodiversity and visually enhance the setting of the building within the surrounding landscape.

Andy Shaw, director of Bishopsrock Properties, said: "From the outset the aim was to redesign this site to be outstanding in terms of architecture and landscape design, enhanced by the beautiful wider surroundings. We worked hard to get plans in place to allow someone to create an exceptional and ground-breaking family home that would be of the highest quality. As the site comes with existing access road, mains electricity, water and a phone line a buyer could get started on the build immediately."

Christopher Coleman-Smith, head of Savills Auctions, said: "This is a unique project particularly for an owner-occupier to create their own dream home in such a wonderful and rarely available location next to an area of outstanding beauty. It will be exciting to see what happens on the day in the auction room."

Click image to launch gallery

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below