Striking floating house near Alresford wins permission after appeal

The unique design for a floating dwelling on a disused reservoir near Alresford had been rejected by Winchester City Council but has been granted permission after an appeal.

The architect Andy Ramus says this is the first 'Paragraph 80' approval in the Winchester district, whereby houses can be built in the countryside if they are of a high-enough design quality.

Mr Ramus is the director of award-winning AR Design Studio, based in Little Minster Street, Winchester. 

The company said: " The appeal decision follows a lengthy and challenging planning process, but demonstrates  that with a strong design concept and an experienced and tenacious multi‐disciplinary team,  applicants can, in the face of a resistant planning authority, secure planning permission for a  bespoke piece of residential architecture."

The Water Lily House secured permission as the Inspector deemed that the applicants had a design of the highest standard. The Appeal Inspector describes the Water Lily House as “a synthesis of environmentally friendly, sculptural architecture that sits sensitively and subtly in the landscape.  Inspirational and a show case of what can be done."  

Detailed design is now underway including the complex civil engineering challenges that a  floating house poses. Construction of the house is due to commence in 2023.

READ MORE HERE: 2023 a crucial year for major development schemes in Winchester

It has proved controversial with some bird-watchers concerned it would impact on a stretch of water that has become an important habitat.

But the architects argued that there was a lack of biodiversity on the reservoir, and the designers saw an opportunity for the lake to "become an integral asset to the site by improving the quality of the existing  reservoir and the relationship between land and water."

In recent years AR Design Studio has been recognised by winning several awards including the British Home Awards 2020, UK Property Awards 2019, Royal Institute  of British Architects (RIBA) South East Award 2018, the RIBA South West Award 2017 and the American  Architecture Award 2017, in addition to being longlisted for Grand Designs House of the Year Award 2018.