Planning Permission Granted for New Country Manor House in Shipley.

Matthew Montague Architects has secured planning permission for a prestigious new country manor house in Shipley, Derbyshire. The development will be located on the site of Coppice House, a historical building originally constructed in 1895 and once a prominent feature in the Shipley Conservation Area. The property, which had seen various uses over the years, including as an inn and later as the Lakeside Business Centre, has been vacant for several years and is now set to be replaced with a stunning new residence.

Outline planning permission for the demolition of Coppice House and the construction of four houses was initially granted in 2021. However, in a series of revisions driven by conservation considerations and design refinements, the scheme has now been revised to feature a large, single country manor house with an ancillary dwelling. This updated plan reflects the sensitive nature of the site, which lies adjacent to Shipley Country Park and within an area synonymous with Derbyshire's rich coal mining history.

Coppice House, located near Coppice Lake, has seen several alterations over the past century, and its setting has long been influenced by the region's mining legacy. The nearby coal pits and Shipley Colliery were central to the area's economy until mining activities ceased in the 1960s. Today, the landscape tells a different story, with the new manor house set to bring a fresh chapter to this historically significant site.

The updated Reserved Matters application, submitted in December 2023, sought approval for changes to the layout, scale, and appearance of the proposed development. Following the initial feedback from the conservation officer, which raised concerns over the scale of the development, the original scheme for four dwellings was reduced to two.

The two additional properties that were intended to flank the manor house were removed, ensuring the development harmonises with its surroundings and addresses the heritage concerns.

The new country manor house will be a substantial, modern dwelling that makes full use of its scenic location. Planned features include a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, gymnasium, cinema, bar, stable block, and basement garages with space for 22 cars. The house, designed to face Coppice Lake, will also incorporate expansive balconies and large areas of glazing, offering panoramic views of the park and the lake.

As the coal industry continues to make headlines with the closure of Radcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, marking the end of coal-powered electricity generation in the UK, the transformation of Coppice House underscores the evolution of the local landscape from its industrial roots to a new era of development.

The demolition of the dilapidated Coppice House, which had fallen into disrepair, will pave the way for this exclusive manor house, a rare addition to the architectural landscape of the region.