- Planning authority
- Vale of Glamorgan Council
- Postcodes
- CF71
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 39°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 6.3 m
- Planning plan
- LDP
- County
- South Glamorgan
The local picture in Cowbridge
When Vale of Glamorgan Council looks at a new home next to a bungalow, the first concern is usually height. A two-storey building among single-storey neighbours can overlook gardens and change the look of the road, so many schemes stay low or use rooms in the roof.
Light matters too. Under the 39° midday sun that Cowbridge sees on 21 March, an eaves line about 5 metres up throws a shadow close to 6.3 m long, while a bungalow’s lower eaves throw much less. Next door to a bungalow, that difference shows clearly in the garden.
What happens next in Cowbridge
Tell us roughly where your Cowbridge bungalow is and how the plot is laid out. We check the title plan, the planning history nearby and the street from the desk, then talk through what you want from the land. If it looks viable, we visit, measure and sketch the options for you to consider, with no cost and no obligation at any point.
Free plot appraisal
We look at the plot’s width and depth, the access, the planning history nearby and the character of the street, then talk through what you want. It’s free, with no obligation, and a site visit follows if it looks viable.
Compare the options
We sketch what could realistically fit: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You see the trade-offs for each, including what happens to your own garden and parking, before choosing a route.
Planning application
We prepare drawings and reports designed around single-storey neighbours and the street scene, usually seek pre-application advice, and submit. The council consults neighbours and makes the decision.
Sale or build
If you sell, your solicitor handles the transfer and any lender release. If we build, you receive a written quote after design and survey, and the new home is built and handed over to you.
Worth checking early
- The order in which you sell the plot and the bungalow can affect your tax, so take advice first.
- Replacing the bungalow means moving out during demolition and building, which suits some owners and not others.
- You’ll keep a smaller garden, and a drive alongside your bungalow brings cars past your windows.
Questions about garden plots in Cowbridge
Will Vale of Glamorgan Council allow a two-storey house next to bungalows in Cowbridge?
It depends on the street and the design. Councils are often cautious about two-storey homes among single-storey neighbours because of overlooking and the change to the street. Chalet designs with rooms in the roof are a common compromise, but the council decides.
Could I build a home for a relative on my bungalow plot in Cowbridge?
Yes, through our design and build route. You keep the land, and we design, get planning for and build the new home. A separate home needs planning permission; an annexe used as part of the main house is treated differently.
How much garden does a bungalow in Cowbridge need to keep?
There’s no single figure. Councils look for enough private garden for both the existing home and the new one, and many have guidance on minimum garden sizes. We check your council’s guidance during the appraisal.
Can I build a second home on my bungalow plot in Cowbridge?
Possibly, if the plot is wide or deep enough and has a workable way in. The new home needs planning permission from Vale of Glamorgan Council, which will look at the street scene, neighbours’ privacy and light, garden space and parking. A free appraisal tells you what is realistic.
Other options in Cowbridge
- Joint venture on your garden plot
- Planning permission for a garden plot
- Garage courts and yards
- Garden plot option agreement
- Build a home for family in your garden
- Sell part of your garden