THE design of a new home planned in the grounds of a farm in Broad Chalke has been hailed by planners as an “architectural gem”.

Members of Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee were impressed at their meeting on Thursday by architect Andrew Jarvis’ blueprints for the house, on land at Barn Orchard, High Road.

Cllr Ian McLennan said: “The architect has gone to the site, he has surveyed it and he has surveyed the surrounding area. He has looked at how it will affect the area and how he can minimise that, and he has created something that I can’t wait to see built.

“So much thought has gone into this and I’m really impressed. I think it is going to be a feature of Broad Chalke.”

Cllr Chris Devine said: “It has hints of Art Deco and 1960s Avant Garde. It is a marvellous concept and I just love it. It is an architectural gem.”

Committee chairman Fred Westmoreland added: “If someone goes to the trouble to design something like this, we have to at least applaud their courage. I love Poundbury and I love pastiche, and this is a very good pastiche.”

The application has been supported by both the nearest neighbours, but has raised concern from the parish council, with members objecting to the design and scale of the large house.

Cllr Richard Britton said: “I think we need to listen to the people of Broad Chalke. This is an imposition that is completely out of character.”

However, committee members felt that its location in the grounds of the farm, shielded from view by existing and planned hedges, and its largely one-storey design meant that it would not have a negative impact on the village.

The application was approved.