Redundant reservoir on Dartmoor approved to become striking new home

A proposal to transform the formal reservoir above Dunsford has now received full approval following consideration by the Planning Inspectorate.

The decision, issued on 9 September, is thought to be the first Paragraph 84 dwelling approved within Dartmoor National Park. 

Chagford-based architects Squirrel Design, who created the new home, said the project is a positive local success story with strong ties to Dartmoor. 

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Their design replaces the redundant reservoir with a “crafted home” that draws on the moor’s building traditions. 

Granite walls, timber cladding and a corrugated tin roof echo linhay barns and agricultural structures across the landscape, giving the home both a rooted local identity and a fresh, contemporary character.

The Paragraph 84 policy allows new rural homes that ‘significantly enhance their setting’ and are reserved only for buildings which achieve the highest design standards.

For many years, the disused concrete tank at Fulford Lane has been an alien presence in the landscape. 

The inspector praised the scheme as appropriate in scale, adaptable, and respectful of its surroundings. 

Concerns raised previously about size and heritage impact were addressed, with the inspector concluding that the project preserves views of the Grade I listed St Mary’s Church and will have a neutral effect on its setting.

With generous circulation space and an internal lift, the home has also been designed to meet high accessibility standards, future-proofing it for generations to come. 

Energy efficiency, limited glazing and careful use of louvres ensure it will be as environmentally responsible as it is locally distinctive.

“We’re delighted that the inspector recognised the quality and sensitivity of this design,” said a spokesperson for Squirrel Design. 

“Our aim was to turn an unused and unattractive site into something that contributes positively to Dartmoor’s landscape and heritage. It’s a proud moment for us as a practice based in the heart of the moor.”

For the village of Dunsford, it marks a transformation for a redundant reservoir into an example of how architecture can renew the rural environment.