Self-Built, Self-Made: The Dorset Dream Home By: Tony Holt Design When our clients Gary and Sue acquired their dream site in Dorset, they knew they’d been lucky. The 1,500ft² bungalow came with three acres of land and breathtaking 360-degree views across rolling countryside. But with the plot sitting outside the village settlement boundary and the house virtually untouched since its original construction, the challenge was clear: how to create a new home that worked for modern life, maximised the landscape potential, and navigated the hurdles of a self-build journey. The Planning Puzzle One of the first steps was exploring the property’s permitted development rights. By securing lawful development certificates, Gary and Sue had certainty on what was achievable. But while the permitted scheme ticked the box for floor area, the layout was fragmented and sacrificed too much garden. Together, we decided to push for something more adventurous: a bold design that would make the most of the site while minimising harm to the rural setting. The brief was refreshingly open – no fixed style, just a desire for a house that made people stop and say “wow”. This freedom allowed us to test several design options, feeding back pros and … Continue reading Turning Vision into a Self-Built Grand Design