A landmark Lake District cottage in the foothills of Catbells and with “views to die for” across Derwentwater, could be completely demolished and given a futuristic eco facelift.
New owners Jag Chana, one of the UK’s leading cosmetic surgeons who works in Harley Street, and wife Kate, have applied for planning permission from the Lake District National Park Authority.
They want to knock down Brandelhow Cottage at Manesty and create a low-carbon “forever home” in its place for them and their three children — all elite swimmers.
On the western side of Derwentwater and surrounded by National Trust land – the Brandelhow Park area is described as the “birthplace” of the National Trust – with the eye-catching property close to public footpaths and the area being a regular stop for those walking the 10-mile lake circuit.
On the market in summer 2021 for the first time in around 30 years, the detached four-bed, two-storey building with its own jetty, was priced at £1.5 million.
At the time, estate agents hailed it as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” but in need of “a bit of light refurbishment but structurally … fantastic”.
However, in documents submitted to planners, award-winning architects Knox Bhavan based in London and representing the Chana’s, have called it “dilapidated”.
They are seeking permission to demolish the cottage and have cited a report from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) which ran the rule over the traditional property.
Our slider below shows the property as it is now and the artist’s impression of the new build:
The report found Brandelhow Cottage has “numerous defects” with leaks, dry rot and rising damp as well as being badly insulated in a “poor state of repair” and of “low architectural merit”, according to documents with the Lake District National Park Authority.
The proposed replacement property would create an “exemplar low carbon home” using locally-sourced and recycled materials “wherever possible” and creating a property “at one with the locale”.
The replacement, architects say, would enhance the character of the lake with biodiversity and sustainability at the heart of the project which the Chanas have been closely involved in.
Plans include solar panels integrated into the recycled slate roof to meet the majority of the house’s energy demands, and a high-performance building fabric to reduce energy on site.
There would also be planted walls and roofs with integrated bird and bat boxes to ensure “a net uplift in biodiversity”.
The proposal states that the intention is to “build a forever home at the foot of Catbells” to fit in with the applicants’ active lifestyle.
“As a family they love walking, climbing and swimming. Their three children who are 18, 16 and 13 are all elite swimmers,” the architects said. “The prospect of having a lake and mountains on their doorstep is a dream come true.”
The idea would be to re-use stone and slate from the demolished property and add two further car parking spaces for a total of four.
Mr Chana, with a private practice in Hertsfordshire, and also a surgeon on Harley Street, is described as one of the UK’s leading plastic surgeon consultants, specialising in breast implants, rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenative surgery.
Knoxbavan, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The existing dwelling is in a poor state of repair. It is constructed primarily in stone with white rendered walls and a slate roof.
“The dwelling is poorly insulated and constructed. The existing roof suffers from extensive rot, with abundant leaks. The heating system is outdated and inefficient, running off an oil tank which is very bad for the environment.”
The LDNPA will make a decision on the application, reference number 7/2022/2263, at a later date.
