BA/2025/0403/HOUSEH | Single storey side extension. Rear dormer. Solar panels. | 1 Mill Hill Cottages Mill Hill Bramerton Norfolk NR14 7EN

Mrs And Mr Pat And Jeremy Dore (Objects)

Comment submitted date: Thu 05 Feb 2026

Objection
We object to the above application on the grounds of inappropriate scale and design, harm to the character of a pair of semi-detached 19thC cottages, harm to residential amenity, loss of privacy, and inaccuracies within the submitted information that materially affect assessment.
Roof Enlargement - Scale, Massing, and Amenity
The proposal includes a very large roof extension extending across most of the rear roof. The overall bulk, height, and scale of the roof alteration would dominate the roof scape and represents a clear and unacceptable intensification of impact, contrary to policies protecting residential amenity and high-quality design.
The elevated position would introduce new downward views and would materially worsen overlooking of our property.
The proposal includes cement particle board cladding, which is inappropriate for a traditional 19thC cottage.
The proposed dormer, by reason of its size and its cladding in grain-effect fibre cement boards, would introduce an overtly modern development which is wholly unsympathetic to the character of the 19thC cottage. Its flat, manufactured appearance would be visually incongruous and fail to reflect local distinctiveness or traditional materials, resulting in harm to the character of the building and its setting, contrary to Broads Authority design policy.
Loss of Privacy
The new elevated window would directly overlook our front garden, conservatory and possibly sitting room. Although a front garden, this space is private and secluded: it does not front a road and is screened from the footpath adjacent to the land in front of our property by an established high hedge. The proposal would allow direct and downward overlooking into private amenity space and habitable accommodation, significantly harming the peaceful enjoyment of our home, contrary to residential amenity policy.
Single-Storey Extension, Porch, and Flat Roof
The proposed single-storey extension incorporates a flat roof and porch that are inappropriate to the scale, proportions, and architectural character of a traditional 19thC cottage and do not respect traditional building forms and local distinctiveness. Considered cumulatively with the roof enlargement, these elements result in clear design harm, contrary to the Broads Authority's design policies.
External Wall Finishes
The application proposes painting the side and rear external walls of a traditional solid-wall building. While the south wall of the property has been painted in the past, inappropriate non-breathable finishes risk trapping moisture and causing long-term harm to the building fabric and appearance. In the absence of confirmation that only suitable breathable finishes would be used, the proposal fails to demonstrate conservation of the building's character and longevity, contrary to design and conservation principles.
Inaccuracies in the Application
The application contains factual inaccuracies that materially affect assessment, including statements that the development cannot be seen from a public road, public footpath, bridleway or other public land (when it is clearly visible from Hill House Road, Mill Hill, the footpath adjacent to the property, the community orchard and allotments), and that there are no trees within falling distance of the house (when such trees exist on neighbouring land). These errors undermine the reliability of the applicant's assessment of impact.
Conclusion
For the reasons above, the proposal conflicts with the Broads Local Plan, including policies seeking to protect residential amenity, privacy, local distinctiveness, and high-quality design.
We respectfully request that the application be refused.

Mr Keith Wheeldon (Objects)

Comment submitted date: Wed 04 Feb 2026

I object to this planning application for the following reasons.

1. The application makes no mention of public footpath (Bramerton FP2) which runs from Mill Hill to Hill House Road and passes through the curtilage of 1 Mill Hill Cottages. This is a popular footpath frequently used by visitors arriving by river at Bramerton Common as they set out to explore the locality.
2. Mill Hill Cottages are a pair of attractive 19th century semi-detached artisan style dwellings built of local red brick with red clay pantile roofing. This pair of dwellings, together with other similar buildings nearby do much to shape the character of this historic corner of Bramerton.
3. This dwelling stands in an elevated position at the end of a private drive and, despite contrary assurances in the application, 1 Mill Hill Cottages is easily seen from the nearest road, Mill Hill. Furthermore, pedestrians using Bramerton FP2 will pass within a metre or so of the proposed extension. Those visiting the neighbouring community orchard and the village allotment gardens will also see this proposed extension.
4. The application says that the side extension is to be rendered, but no colour is given for the render finish, so presumably this will be left as a cement colour. Whatever the choice of colour the style of the side extension does nothing to complement the existing building with its warm red brick frontage. Instead the proposed extension will stand out in complete contrast and is not in keeping with the local architecture of the area nor does not seek to emulate recent high quality extensions nearby such as that at 1 Mill Cottage. At the least the frontage of this side extension should be specified as brick to match the existing building.
5. The proposed frontage of the extension is further degraded by the addition of a sentry-box style entrance porch. This looks unsightly and wholly lacks any architectural merit. I can find no details regarding the materials to be used for this porch but its size and dimensions detract further from the appearance of the existing building.
6. There is little detail in the application about the rear dormer which is over-large in width as it stretches almost the whole way from one side of the building to the other. The proposal is that the dormer will be finished with cement particle board but again no colour is given. In many locations the rear elevation would be of little concern, but this disproportionately large dormer will be seen by everyone passing along FP2. This dormer is also very close to the boundary with neighbouring property. At the least the size of this dormer should be reduced and the finish colour should be conditioned.
7. The application inaccurately states that there are no trees within falling distance of the property yet there are several mature trees within within five to ten metres of the building.
The scale, style and proposed choice of materials of this proposed development are out of keeping with the local architecture and do nothing to maintain the quality of the built environment in this area of the Broads.

Ms Donna Higgleton (Supports)

Comment submitted date: Wed 21 Jan 2026

I write from the perspective of a very near neighbour to the property in question. Indeed we share use of the same driveway.

I am delighted to write in support of Mr Stuart Brand's planning application.

1 Mill Hill Cottages must be one of the very few remaining older properties in the village that has not benefitted from recent updating improvements in order to bring it up to modern living standards. Sadly, in recent years, it has also lain empty and many would now consider it uninhabitable without improvements in size and facilities. In its current state it additionally lacks any form of central heating. The garden and parking areas were also severely overgrown until recent remedial action was taken.

I was fortunate enough to have had my own planning application granted in 2017 which has resulted in a much warmer house, more space with increased facilities and less fuel consumption. By comparison with my own, I consider Mr Brand's proposed extension and improvements to be modest but surely essential for modern everyday living. He wishes to incorporate solar panels which to me seems very sensible when we should all, where possible and funds allow, be looking to green solutions for our heating and energy supply.

Currently, when I pull my car into our shared driveway, I look up the drive to see a sad, neglected and uninhabited cottage.

It fills me with joy to consider that, later this year, 1 Mill Hill Cottages may have been improved and updated to the benefit of all of us who live off this little private driveway.

I wholly support this most sensible and modest application.

Planning – Application Comments

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