Plans for a £2.5m 6,000 ft2 ‘walled garden house’ located between Alnwick and Morpeth are a step closer to completion as the first phase of construction work gets underway.

The move is the latest phase of an ambitious project by Newcastle architects Pod to create a five-bedroom property which will revitalise and safeguard the Grade II listed walled garden in Newton-on-the-Moor, under plans approved by Northumberland County Council.

The 1771-built garden originally supplied fresh produce for Newton Hall but had fallen into decline following years of neglect. Proposals will see a sympathetic restoration of the site, which will include a modern sunken living space “folded under the garden landscape”. This will enhance the structure’s original features and “add a new dimension” without impacting on the external appearance, said the architects.

Construction of some of the outbuildings and garages is underway and will be followed by the building of a modern entertainment wing and conversion of the disused potting sheds and greenhouses into luxury living accommodation.

Featuring a sauna, bar, gym and spiral staircase leading to the walled garden – via a retractable glass roof that wraps over the new build element, the scheme has been designed to be sensitive and reflect the garden’s original purpose.

Pod project architect and director Martin Clay, having worked closely with the council and its conservation officers, commented:

“As architects, you always want to work on challenging projects and for clients with ambition.”