3 bedroom detached house to rent

Dapple House is well named. The house is surrounded by natural historic woodlands and is bathed in dappled light. Architect David Parsons designed this home for his own family in 2015 and made sensitive use of the tranquil woodland environment in which the house sits, ensuring a dynamic connection with the woods and the light while retaining a modest presentation in the natural surroundings.

Across the entire 1312 sq. foot interior, design of Dapple House has been thoughtfully conceived to make maximum use of natural light through skylights, floor to ceiling glass panels and a calming engagement between the exterior and the interior.

The house is approached from a private driveway, and you enter into a bright hallway, gathering light throughout the day from immaculately planned skylights.

The signature space is an impressive open plan living room opening onto a private west-facing garden via huge glass doors and another wall which is constructed of original London stock bricks from East London, paying homage to the local Victorian builders and craftsmen of the era. A log burning stove provides a focal point to the room.

There’s an easy flow to this living space with a purpose designed kitchen to the rear including a lovely touch - a window seat tucked into the kitchen space, offering a zen-like space for relaxation & conversation.

Two out of three bedrooms are on the ground floor, both with ensuite bathrooms. One benefits from another signature window seat, the other an entire wall of glazing and direct access to the garden terrace.

The whole of the upper floor is given over to the principal bedroom & ensuite bathroom. There is access from here to the sedum covered roof terrace; a further nod to the integration of Dapple House with its environment. The shower has an awesome skylight, providing a skyline vista. The washing machine and dryer are also housed here.

A private garden wraps around the house and is tiered up to the rear forested boundary, making this inviting space private and easily manageable. A winding path leads past well-chosen trees and planting, purposefully in keeping with the surrounding nature reserve. Within the garden is a self-contained studio with additional W/C – a perfect creative space, workroom, annexe for children or for occasional guests.

Sustainability is at the core of everything within Dapple House, which means it’s incredibly well-insulated. The house includes a natural ventilation system & underfloor heating throughout the property and a water digester, which has been built-in resulting in an overall reduction in energy use. There is an electric car port outside and parking space for two cars.

Norsey Wood surrounds Dapple House and is famous for the ‘rides’ or paths that are the original tracks from Anglo-Saxon times. The wood covers over 175 acres of ancient trees, with a lot of native & endangered species thriving, including the ever-rarer dormouse which is protected within the forest that surrounds Dapple House.

Situated in easy reach of Billericay town centre and wider Essex, there’s a great range of independent shops, restaurants and pubs with an impressive local presence. The local spirit is strong, and it’s easy to feel connected with the community. The local primary schools are particularly good in this area, with Sunnymede Infants & Juniors 5 minutes away, and an associated nursery close by.

For transport connections, Billericay Train station with a regular daily service to London Liverpool Street in just over 30 minutes is a short 5–7-minute drive, or a 15–20-minute walk from Dapple House. The main A12, going straight into London is only 15 minutes away.

Additional Information:

Property construction - Part steel portal frame w/ solid block-work, membraned & clad externally in Siberian Larch  timber. Concrete floor and layered foundations with suspended timber. Living biodiverse Sedum roof system  incorporating membranes. Pitched roof to Art Studio.
Utilities - Electricity, Gas, Water
Gas Supply - Independently supplied (Octopus)
Electricity supply - Independently supplied (Octopus)
Water supply: Metered (Essex & Suffolk Water)
Sewerage - Anaerobic Waste Treatment Plant to bio­disc system  (Sewage treatment plant present)
Broadband - Standard download speed: 12Mbps, upload speed: 1Mbps (Ultrafast not available)
Mobile signal/coverage - Nearly network providers available (3 mobile not available)
Rights and easements - Shared access via private road (£6 per month maintenance charge) EPC rating: C.