The house is situated within the Green Belt and beautiful Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and had already been extended in the past. The client approached Fox-Groves Architecture to improve the internal layout across the ground and first floors, along with the replacement of an existing detached garage to provide a new kitchen extension. Due to the planning restrictions within the Green Belt and AONB, it made the route to gaining planning permission more complex. We carried out a thorough analysis of planning policy to determine the most appropriate planning strategy and design, and we ultimately gained planning permission by making a case of 'very special circumstances' in June 2023. In terms of design, the replacement extension takes cues from agricultural buildings in the area - which have simple forms, timber cladding and metal roofs - and is intended to appear separate and subservient to the main house. A low-level glazed link connects the extension with the main house. The reconfigured layout creates a strong link between the main house and the extension, as well as getting the most out of the space and enhancing views out across the garden and fields beyond. The first floor layout is also reconfigured to improve the efficiency and views.