New build – Bold Heath, St Helens

Feasibility

PJH Architectural Services have recently been appointed by our clients to assist in their self-build project and produce proposals for a new build dwelling in Bold Heath, St Helens. The project looks to demolish the tired existing dwelling on the site and provide a high-quality new build dwelling in its place which is better equipped for modern family living. Having lived in the house for a number of years, our clients had fallen in love with their location and the extensive countryside views out to the south. However the house itself was showing its age and unfortunately was no longer able to keep up with the modern standards of family life. Our clients needed a home fit for their lifestyle and after the consideration of a number of options, a new-build dwelling was the most appropriate route to go down, to create their forever home.

Design

Sitting within greenbelt, the new development would be subject to a number of additional conditions, in order to maintain the character of the area, that would need to be considered throughout the design process. Most notably the proposals are restricted in their size, with any increase in volume to be no more that 30% of the existing dwelling, this national policy is in place in order to retain the openness of any given greenbelt.

As existing, the main entrance to the dwelling was located through a small, confined porch on the side elevation, which left the house uninviting upon approach. The client was keen for a more prominent open entrance that gave a sense of grandeur upon arrival – this was provided through a light-filled hallway, that gave views right through the dwelling and out into the greenery beyond. A double height open atrium completed the entrance hall, finished with full height glazing to flood the hall with natural light. Previously the property felt dark, and the hall was a cold ‘in-between’ space rather than an area to be enjoyed; the design of the new hall forms the central core of the dwelling, acting as the main thoroughfare around the new build dwelling and becoming a space to be celebrated, utilising the scenic views and greenery beyond.

The ground floor comprises an office, private lounge, utility & WC, with the heart of the space being the open plan kitchen/dining/snug area to the rear, complete with large picture windows to maximise the views to the south and bi-folding doors to open up the space to the garden beyond. The first floor comprises 3 bedrooms and a family bathroom, as well as the open atrium with reading nook overlooking the front gardens. The master bedroom is complete with en-suite to the front, and picture window to the rear maximising the connectivity of the dwelling to the greenery to the south. The new build dwelling is complete with a second floor comprising a further 2 bedrooms and additional bathroom.

Exteriors and Visuals

Our client appointed PJH having viewed several of our recently completed projects and loved the high quality designs we produced along with the individuality achieved within so many of the designs. While every project is unique, our client was keen to utilise a similar visual language to a number of these previous projects, knowing that PJH could produce the quality of design both inside and outside that they desired from their forever home.

Sitting within a small cluster of unique and individual properties within the heart of the St. Helens greenbelt, creating a high quality and well-considered visual appearance was of the utmost importance to ensure it’s appropriateness within its context. The aesthetic qualities of the proposals take reference from the traditional forms and material palettes of the local area. The new build dwelling is generally rectilinear in form, with a break in the appearance coming in the form of a focal point front apex. This provides a contemporary take on the neighbouring properties, which all make use of a front facing gable, whether in the porch, garage or dwelling itself. The materiality of the dwelling also references the local context, with traditional Olde Mill Blend brickwork forming the basis of the proposals, with subtle hints of timber cladding and stonework responding to the barns and traditional construction methods in the surrounding area.

In order to allow our client to start to see their new build dwelling coming to life, we provided them with a set of visuals to get a real life feeling for the proposals. The visuals also aid in the planning application process to allow neighbours and planners the opportunity to better experience the proposals with a true to life representation of the finished article.

Planning

We submitted the planning application for our client’s new build dwelling in the summer of 2023, and we anticipate receiving approval in the autumn. Upon obtaining planning permission, we will initiate the preparation of a comprehensive tender package. Collaborating with a team that includes structural engineers and arboriculturists, whom we have presented to the client, we will be well-prepared to solicit bids from a pool of local contractors based in the North-West region.

Thinking of pursuing something similar to this project? Feel free to take a look at some of our blogs:

How Long Does It Take To Build A New House?
Should I Knock Down My House Or Renovate?
Self Build And Vat – What Can You Claim Back?

If you need any advice on the first steps of designing and planning an external renovation project, extension or new build feel free to get in touch for a brief chat, we are here to help.

Email: enquiry@pjhas.co.uk

Tel: 0161 4600382