The Bakestones

‘The Charm of village life’- this stunning new development will provide a ‘village development’ in an exceptional position just a stroll from the centre of Delph.

Date

2016

Client

Three60

Value

£5.9m

Three60, the developer arm of a social residential landlord, acquired this site in administration in 2009 with a view to turn it around quickly and complete it with some minor modifications. As the scheme design progressed, further constraints came to light; not least the difficult site conditions requiring expensive engineering solutions, but also an existing right of way crossing the site. Warranty issues resulted in the existing building structures having to be demolished and the site started on from scratch again.

To increase viability, extensive value engineering continued until mid-2013 with the preferred contractor. The final scheme comprises of 46 different types of houses. Clever use of brick and renders brought the cost down whilst still fitting into an environment of stone cottages and industrial brick buildings. The architecture combines detailing such as quoins, banding and window surrounds with elements like curtain walling and large sliding/folding rear doors to make a contemporary statement in a traditional surrounding.

In addition to residential parking throughout, to reduce congestion on a nearby through road, the development also provides off-road parking for neighbouring properties. The scheme also provided junction improvements via a Section 106 agreement with Oldham Council.

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The Challenge

To increase viability the entire scheme had to be re-designed to reduce the number of flats and then eliminate finally flats from the scheme. Wet ground conditions and a stream crossing the site imposed further challenges.

The Solution

jmarchitects developed a family of eleven housing typologies, ranging from 56 to 160 sq.m, providing between two and four bedrooms plus integrated garages. The stream was culverted but the site had to be designed such that the terrain offered enough surface flooding capacity without any unit flooding should the culvert get blocked in the future.

The Outcome

The final scheme fits well into the landscape setting, providing a precedent for an adjacent plot similarly replicating our design. The development proved hugely popular with all units either reserved or sold by the final handover date. For peace of mind all units come with NHBC warranty.