On behalf of the National Trust, Planning & Development Associates (PDA) secured planning permission and listed building consent for the biggest building project Knole has experienced in the last 400 years to ensure the future of the country house and to improve the experience for visitors.

The works include converting the fifteenth-century barn from its present use (for garaging and storage), transforming it into a new, nationally-significant conservation studio. The hayloft, never before opened to the public, will be converted for education, training and community use. A new, single-storey building will wrap around the north and east walls of the Brewhouse Courtyard, with outdoor seating in the centre and on the roof of the new structure.

The critical contributors to success were the pre-application engagement with key stakeholders and the robust assessment of the significance of the impact on the heritage asset (prepared by Rodney Melville + Partners) which supported the applications.

PDA provided a planning assessment to demonstrate that the proposals were policy compliant. Knole is a Grade I listed building of special architectural and historic interest. The estate is listed in English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens as Grade I and Knole Park (excluding the house and garden) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Knole is located within the Green Belt, Special Landscape Area (Kent Downs & High Weald AONB) and located outside of the Sevenoaks Urban Confine. This combination of designations therefore imposed an overarching context of restriction, but PDA demonstrated that the development proposals were compliant with both local and national planning polcies.