THE owners of several Victorian properties, one of which is a heritage asset, have asked for planning permission to extend and alter them, along with landscape the estate.

The application, submitted to Test Valley Borough Council, asks to carry out work to Freelands, The Boathouse and The Gatehouse, in Fullerton Road, Wherwell, Andover.

The plans also include creating new vehicular access to the estate.

Four generations of the same family have owned and occupied the main residence, and the application says it is in “much need of modernisation” with “few changes made apart from some extensions that were poorly integrated with the original structure”.

It added: “The subsequent owner began gutting the residence and obtained permission to alter Freelands (the main residence) and the Boathouse as part of the process of modernisation. The new owner wishes to do much the same, building upon the earlier approval, by employing a more graceful design which better respects and enhances the character of the property.”

The site, which overlooks the River Test, is part of the 10ha Freelands Estate, which includes The Gate House, Freelands and The Lodge, all Victorian age buildings.

Describing Freelands, which is classed as a ‘non-designated heritage asset’, meaning it has been identified as having a ‘degree of significance’ when planning decisions are made, the application states it is a “large imposing dwelling”.

In conclusion, the application states: “The proposed scheme modernises the main dwelling, drawing out the best of the original design, and complementing it, while removing unsympathetic modern additions. It secures a better design than the earlier approval.”