A new “bold” and modern home next to a Grade II listed property has been granted planning permission by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC).

The 550-square metre home will be developed on land which currently houses a tennis court in Nursery Road, Loughton.

Designed by Loughton-based Clear Architects, it is adjacent to the late Victorian Grade II listed property called Dragons, renowned locally for its Gothic features.

The vote by the planning committee took place in a meeting on December 2.

The landowners asked for a five-bedroom family home, split over three floors.

Internally, a circular staircase incorporating an open void with circular roof light will link the floors.

The modern design will be largely obscured from view by mature boundary foliage.

Clear Architects have brought in Chelsea Flower Show award-winning landscape designers, Aralia, to create a landscape plan for the plot.

It said it had created the “bold” house with square edges, curved glass, sharp lines and large windows externally to ensure the new dwelling would architecturally stand in its own right next to the listed building.

Melanie Clear, director of RIBA-Chartered Clear Architects, said: “Both Dragons and the proposed new modern development demonstrate the best of architecture at their respective periods in terms of design and build.

“We are delighted that the EFDC planning committee have demonstrated such foresight and been so embracing of what we are confident will be a ‘statement’ architectural addition to the local community.”