A COUPLE who’ve lived in a late 19th Century semi-detached property on Walford Road in Ross-on-Wye have applied to build a retirement bungalow in its grounds.

The applicants have lived in the property for over 23 years, which sits on a large plot of 0.162 hectares with mature gardens and have long aspired to building themselves a retirement property in the grounds of their current home.

Planning permission was previously granted in 2013 for a dormer bungalow located in the northwest corner of the garden, but this scheme was never implemented.

The proposed new design is for a three-bedroomed L-shaped property with a two-storey wing facing Walford Road and a single storey wing running west behind it.

The placement of the building is intended to minimise impacts on any adjoining property and maintain the residential amenity of the existing Albany property which will form a completely separate residence.

The application states that the revised proposal is for a self-build sustainable retirement home with a new separate vehicle entrance being created along with an additional parking area.

The existing derelict garage will be removed whilst the red brick potting shed will be retained and converted as a garden store.

The layout of the house creates a private courtyard area and further garden areas. The sub-division of the plot between old and new houses will be in the form of a 1.8m close boarded timber fence planted both sides with native species hedging. Over time the fence will become obscured as the hedging matures.

The two-storey element will be slate roofed but the majority of both east and west facing roof slopes will be covered in photovoltaic panels.

The current owners have done a lot already to enhance the biodiversity of their garden regardless of any legislative requirements.

Agent Dean Benbow said: This scheme will embrace good environmental design proactively, incorporating a desire to maximise thermal efficiency through minimising air leakage alongside controllable and effective methods of ventilation, and high levels of insulation.

“This is proven to be the most cost-effective method of reducing bills by reducing the need for energy in the first place.

“This proposal is intended to provide an environmentally responsible contemporary lifetime home for the applicants.”

Comments on the planning application, number P252317/F, can be made on Herefordshire Council’s planning portal until Thursday, September 18.