The proposed scheme comprises:
Open-plan reception/kitchen; Two bedrooms; Bathroom; Cloakroom. Annexe: Bedroom with en-suite shower room. Circa 1 acre plot including parking area.
Site description:
The proposal site comprises two modest single storey flat-roofed buildings understood to have previously been used for historical radar related operations. The buildings are in a dilapidated state and are positioned in an isolated location surrounded by open arable land.
Location and summary:
what3words - location:
Start of track:
talents.mimics.loom https://w3w.co/talents.mimics.loom
Buildings:
shelving.laser.midfield https://w3w.co/shelving.laser.midfield
The proposed scheme relates to two former radar buildings which are situated in an isolated position to the south-east of Shottisham village. The buildings are accessed via an existing private track, leading from Woodbridge Road (B1083) to the south. The buildings are not listed, but are considered to be historically important, and are located within the Suffolk Coast and heaths AONB.
Excerpt from the Pre-application proposal (submitted 17th August 2022):
The application relates to the conversion of two former radar receiver buildings near Shottisham, to form a single holiday let. The buildings are considered to be historically important, and the conversion will provide a long-term solution for the retention of the buildings. The proposed holiday let will have two dedicated parking spaces adjacent to the building and it is not considered that the proposals will have any significant impact on the location, landscape or visual amenity in the area.
The proposal:
The proposal is to change the use of the two buildings to form a single holiday let. The plan is to convert the main building to form the main living accommodation, including an open plan living/kitchen/dining room, two bedrooms, a family bathroom and a separate WC. The smaller detached building will provide an additional bedroom with en-suite shower room. The proposal is to keep the two buildings separate, but construct a covered decking area between. The holiday let will have two dedicated parking spaces adjacent to the buildings, as shown on the proposed site plan. It is not proposed to extend either building, and no new window or door openings will be required.
Conclusion (excerpt from pre-application planning advice - East Suffolk Council 15th December 2022):
"In-line with the above assessment, it is the Case Officer's opinion that a planning application for the proposal has the potential to be supported, subject to the policy requirements set out above and validation requirements below. However, this would be very dependent on the design quality of the final scheme, that needs to be minimalist and preserve the unique character and setting of these buildings."
History of the buildings:
The buildings are thought to date back to the WWII period, when the main building was used as a radar receiver building, with receiver masts located adjacent. There is a second smaller detached building close to the south-east corner of the receiver building. The buildings and masts are clearly identifiable in a 1955 Ordnance Survey map. The masts have since been removed.
Brief history of radar buildings:
The introduction of the aircraft as an offensive weapon provided the rationale for strategic air defence systems adopted by Britain from the early 1920s. These systems initially involved early warning, based on the visual spotting and tracking of aircraft, but developed through acoustic detection devices to radar. The principles behind radar were widely recognised by the 1930’s, but British technicians were the first to translate the science – that an electromagnetic pulse reflected from an object betrays that objects position to a receiver – into a practical means of defence. Following experimental work at Orfordness and Bawdsey Research Station in Suffolk radar developed through the initial Home Chain, a small group of stations in the extreme south-east of the country. Ultimately there were six major types of radar station established in United Kingdom by the end of the Second World War which evolved with advances in radar technology combined with operational need.
Radar stations were designed for raid reporting, passing information to a central operations room which in turn directed fighters to intercept enemy aircraft. This system was to prove vital during the Battle of Britain and radar was constantly evolving and also played a significant role in alerting and deploying night fighters during the Blitz of 1940-41. Radar, through Coast Defence/Chain Low stations, could also detect enemy surface shipping. Range and accuracy improved during the war and aided Fighter Command in their offensive sweeps over occupied Europe from 1943. Many radar stations were reused during the Cold War period for Rotor, a later development of wartime radar
Agent’s note:
The building is being sold without planning permission - the purchaser will be responsible for pursuing and concluding any required planning permissions post-completion.
The landowner will be selling the building together with circa one acre of land and the access track-way from the Woodbridge Road. Rights of access are reserved for all purposes over the initial part of the track-way only.
The full pre-application advice document is available upon request.
CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) has been used to show visualisations of the proposed scheme (internally and externally) - not to scale for illustration only.
Purchasers are strongly advised to make their own investigations as regards all aspects of the building and planning requirements and to seek independent advice on all aspects commented upon here which cannot be assumed, nor are stated as a statement of fact(s).
‘The Radar House’ is a proposed name for marketing purposes. The in-coming purchaser will have the final say on the name of the house (subject to any necessary consent).
Terms:
Offers in excess of £200,000 subject to contract
Tenure:
Freehold
