Subterranean plans for cliff-top home at Icart

Vue de Reve is a mid-20th century, two-storey house on the eastern side of the headland.

The existing building is relatively dominant in the landscape and is clearly visible on the cliff line, a design statement with the application states.

Under the latest plan from Dr and Mrs V. Schumann this would be replaced with a modern, three-storey property.

The first floor would be the equivalent height of the existing first floor and be used for entertaining guests. It would have a sitting and dining area, a terrace, a butler’s pantry, and a bar and a snooker room.

The new ground floor would be partially buried and lower than the existing ground level. This would form the dwelling’s main family space, with two bedroom suites, a large kitchen/living space, a library, a pool and cinema room.

The basement level would be below the existing ground level and would have three en-suite bedrooms, as well as a hobby room and safe room. While there would be no views out, it would be protected from the wind.

A detailed document on the plans was included with the application.

‘It is clear that the location of this property is significant,’ it said.

‘A development in this position potentially impacts both its immediate neighbours and the wider cliff-scape, including the site of special significance that takes the form of the cliffs themselves. Neighbouring dwellings stand to the north and west of the property. There is a more significant distance between the dwelling and its northern neighbour than the collection of dwellings to the west.’

The design also takes into account the area.

‘The dwelling is primarily devised as a unique response to its site, which despite having undisturbed panoramic sea views to south and east is overlooked from the north and exposed to prevailing winds from the south-west,’ the planning document states.

‘Deeply conscious of its surrounds, the design looks to construct a dialogue with its exposed, cliff-top position.’

The document said the design aimed to keep the cliff area unspoiled.

‘With this in mind, the dwelling’s linear form, whilst reflecting on the memory of modernist design, hunches down into its surrounds, and having been cloaked with local stone and planting becomes largely internalised to form a sustainable contemporary architecture very much rooted in local culture and sustainable building theory.’

The property was last sold for £4.29m. in 2019.

n The plans can be viewed at https://www.gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.