A couple are seeking permission to build an eco-home in the garden behind their own five-bedroom house.

Mathew and Janine Nelson have applied to Pendle Council to build a five-bedroom, self-build, eco-home, with an integral garage and new access lane, at land they own in Wheatley Lane Road, Barrowford.

Mr and Mrs Nelson have lived in Wheatley Lane Road for the last 21 years, where they have brought up their three children and work locally.

Their existing property is a three-storey semi-detached five-bedroom home with a detached triple garage, sitting within a half-acre plot, which they own.

They wish to self-build their own eco-home, designed to meet their family’s needs, which would be suitable for contemporary living with reduced running costs, and utilising land which is already within their ownership.

A planning statement reads: “The proposal divides the site ownership into two relatively equal plots, retaining an adequate rear garden space for the existing dwelling, and creating an independent plot to the rear.

“The site has been re-designed to include a new home for the applicant, an integral garage, and the existing landscaping and boundary treatments have been re-configured and improved.

“A new access lane will be created along the strip of land owned by the applicants to the east, with direct access from Wheatley Lane Road.

“A highways pre-application was completed in March 2023 which confirmed the acceptability of the proposed access.

“The site benefits from Permission In Principle for up to two detached houses. The approved application site also included land to the rear of 147 Wheatley Lane Road, which has been excluded from this application.

“The bespoke design is site and client specific, providing a sustainable home which works for the family’s needs, whilst allowing them to remain living in the immediate area.

“The proposal is a five-bedroom, two-storey, detached dwelling with integral single garage.

“The new access point is located towards the north of the site, along with the driveway.

“The property will be aligned with the existing house and neighbouring properties, with the front elevation facing the access lane.

“This creates a rear garden which achieves all-day sun, and maximises privacy.

“The side of the property will face the existing property, which will reduce the extent of built-form viewed from the existing house, and prevent windows directly facing each other.

“To increase privacy from the existing dwelling, the property will form an L-shape creating additional privacy to the external spaces.”

Anyone wishing to comment can do so via Pendle Council’s planning website before Wednesday, August 23.