An ‘inside out’ proposed new home designed with mental health and wellbeing in mind has overcome hurdles to be granted planning permission after wowing councillors.

Council officers had recommended the “cutting edge” scheme in Boosbeck, East Cleveland be refused after taking issue with the architect’s assertion it met “exceptional design” criteria.

But members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee voted to approve the detached three bed property instead subject to conditions.

Councillor Vera Rider said she “absolutely loved” it, while another councillor Stephen Martin said it was the “best looking building he had seen in ages” and he believed there was no reason to refuse planning consent.

Council planners had described the location, land off Lingdale Road, Boosbeck, as being outside of development limits.

A previous, different design had permission turned down with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate also dismissed, the inspector stating it was effectively harmful development in the countryside that did not meet relevant exception criteria.

The revised design incorporates ‘biophilic’ elements, meaning bringing the outside in so as to connect people with nature in a built environment and reversing some of the internal and external features of a typical home.

Rob Henderson, a director of Redcar-based LJC Architectural Design, said the project had been “years in the making” with mental health professionals also being consulted.

There will be an outdoor kitchen and lounge area, the latter complete with a hot tub.

A dining area is proposed to extend out to the west side of the building in a glazed circular bulb, while an internal garden area will be added adjacent to the dining room.

The property will have windows and glazed doors on all four elevations with some glazing floor to ceiling.

Mr Henderson told the committee meeting how so-called “dichroic” tinted glass that can change colour depending on the lighting was being used to “lift mood depending on the time of day”.

This would be smart-controlled and help with depression and other conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

An inverted roof would channel surface water into the internal garden and a “stunning, natural” water feature, as well as being harvested for use elsewhere in the house.

Meanwhile, a timber constructed workshop, which is part of the plans, is intended to be “man-shed inspired” with another nod to improving mental health.

A report for councillors said Local Plan policy restricted development outside of certain limits, although this could be overlooked in respect of “isolated single dwellings that are of exceptional quality and incorporate innovative design features, reflecting the highest standards in architecture and sustainability”.

The report said: “The design of the dwelling, whilst very different to any other property within Boosbeck or the neighbouring village of Lingdale is not considered to be to a high standard that is exceptional.”

It also said: “It is considered the proposed design is not truly outstanding and will not significantly enhance its immediate setting.”

A design and access statement submitted as part of the plans had said: “We believe that the proposed dwelling would significantly enhance its immediate setting and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.”

Councillors had been told there had been issues with fly-tipping on the land in question and the local environment could in fact be improved with the plans.

Mr Henderson, meanwhile, drew parallels with television show Grand Designs after viewing a previous episode.

He said: “As I watched more of the program I realised our design is more thought out, has more research behind it, has more passion in it than what was on Grand Designs.” 

He added: “If we can not only keep up with the highest design standards around the country, but exceed them then I respectfully put it to you that this should be something to celebrate and get behind rather than use the default ‘recommended for refusal’.

“If this was to be halted at this stage it would have a catastrophic effect on the work we have done so far, which has the potential to actually save lives and do something great.”

Mr Henderson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service there had been interest from local MPs and mental health charities and approaches to help and design projects where mental health was a major consideration.

He also said it was “extremely rare” to gain planning permission for exceptional design projects and this was the second-such building he and his team had worked on.