17/02/2026
Planning permission granted last week for a McTernan Design contemporary Dutch barn conversion in Solihull - reimagining a tired agricultural building into a new two-storey family home within Meriden, Solihull.
For our clients, we secured a replacement dwelling by carefully raising the existing roof by 1.8 metres, creating comfortable first-floor bedrooms that meet modern height expectations while respecting the barn’s original character. We also achieved approval for a master bedroom balcony - a bolder move than is usually accepted for barn conversions, which are often expected to remain visually understated.
Using our 3D visuals, we produced photorealistic external and internal views of the proposal to support the application and address the planning officer’s concerns about height, massing and rural character. These images helped everyone involved clearly understand how the raised roof, mezzanine and balcony would sit within the existing structure and wider setting before a single brick is laid.
Swipe through the images to see:
• The external 3D view of the new Dutch barn home.
• The light-filled mezzanine level overlooks the living space.
• The open plan kitchen at the heart of the house.
• A view from the first-floor landing.
If you are planning a barn conversion, self-build, replacement dwelling, or extension in Solihull, Birmingham, the West Midlands, the Cotswolds, or Warwickshire, our highly visual, collaborative design process can help you explore options in 3D, refine the design together, and react to the planning process with confidence.
Please send us a message here on Facebook, or share your ideas and postcode for an initial conversation about what may be possible on your site.
