PLANNING permission for a contemporary garden pavilion in the grounds of a historic, riverside rectory in Great Somerford has been granted.

The structure which is designed for family entertaining, completes a scheme to link the main 16th Century house with dedicated play spaces running down to the property’s river in Great Somerford.

Director of developers Austin Design Works, Rachael Austin said: "Initially, the client asked us to create a garden room.

"But the more we looked at it, the more it made sense to create a standalone building in the garden, to make the most of the river frontage and encourage people to really use the whole of the garden.

The entertainment pavilion, complete with living roof and solar panels, will see the renovation of an old brick terrace, construction of a timber-framed pergola and a revamped stone wall enclosing a barbecue area with far-reaching views across the river.