REVISED PLANS FOR LANDSCAPE AND HERITAGE-LED 73-HOME MASTERPLAN IN SWANAGE
11 June 2026
Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, on behalf of Westcoast Developments, with Chapman Lily Planning, has submitted revised outline planning proposals for Harrow House in Swanage, Dorset.
The proposals will deliver 73 homes through the sensitive redevelopment of the former brownfield Harrow House International School site, combining the conversion of the existing heritage building with a series of carefully arranged new-build homes set within an enhanced landscape.
Responding to extensive public consultation and ongoing engagement with Dorset Council, the revised proposals reduce the number of homes from the original 93, revised 85 and now 73. Updates include lowering the scale and amending the massing of the apartment buildings and reposition housing and other key elements of the masterplan to respond, with enhanced sensitively to the site’s landscape setting and surrounding context.
The proposals position Harrow House, a non-designated heritage asset with strong Arts and Crafts influence, as the focal point of a new landscape-led residential neighbourhood. The retained building’s proposed conversion by UAN Architecture, are complimented by new homes which are arranged within a carefully considered architectural hierarchy that draws from Swanage’s local material character and roofscape.
The masterplan uses the site’s natural topography to shape a series of stepped buildings, arrangements and interconnected green spaces, helping the development integrate into the wider townscape and landscape while preserving glimpsed views across the hillside. A full Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment has been undertaken by Define with iterative results feeding into the revised proposals.
A consistent material palette inspired by Dorset’s local character and Harrow House reinforces the identity of the development, with contemporary buildings designed as restrained reinterpretations of the retained heritage asset rather than direct imitations.
Landscape and biodiversity form a central part of the proposals. All high-quality existing trees across the site are retained, while the outline application demonstrates the potential for a 67.55% biodiversity net gain through landscape enhancement and Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) contributions.
The development also adopts a fabric-first sustainability strategy, with efficient building forms and orientation helping to minimise operational energy demand. Air source heat pumps, MVHR, and photovoltaic integration are currently under consideration as part of the wider environmental strategy, alongside the potential to achieve net zero operational carbon performance at reserved matters stage.
“We are deeply invested in achieving high quality, premium homes within a sustainable redevelopment of a significant site in Swanage. Our vision responds directly to the extensive engagement and analysis undertaken over recent years, retaining and enhancing quality whilst remaining viable. We are excited to bring these proposals forward and delivering on our aspiration.”
Graham Heffer, Managing Director, Westcoast Developments
“We have approached Harrow House as an opportunity to carefully balance heritage, landscape and housing delivery through a genuinely collaborative design process. The revised proposals reflect extensive consultation and a clear evolution of the scheme, reducing density and refining the arrangement of buildings to respond with further sensitively to the site and its setting, directly responding to comments received. Proposals significantly enhance BNG, landscape and amenity provision, and contribute sensitively to the evolution of Swanage’s townscape in scale, massing and high quality materials.”
Paul Avery, Senior Associate, Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt
