Malvern Avenue – Urmston, Trafford

PJH Architectural Services were appointed by our clients to produce proposals for this ground floor wraparound and porch extension and first floor partial wraparound extension on their recently purchased semi-detached property in sought-after Urmston, Trafford. Our client was looking for architects in Urmston or designers with a good working relationship and proven track record with Trafford Council. We had previously completed a wraparound extension in Urmston, on a near by street.

The brief

The house was a prime candidate for renovation, with every room requiring significant attention. Our clients, who had previously lived in a flat in the bustling heart of Manchester City Centre, were eager to find a property they could transform into their forever home. Despite its current state of neglect, the original house was situated on a generously sized plot, offering ample space to expand through extensions.

Our clients had a myriad of requirements for both floors of the house. On the ground floor, they envisioned an open-plan kitchen, dining, and cozy snug area, accompanied by a utility room and a convenient WC. Additionally, they sought the practicality of an internal garage with direct internal access. On the first floor, their desires included enlarging the existing box room to make it more functional, designing a spacious new bathroom, and crafting a new fourth bedroom that would serve as the master suite providing views out to the rear overlooking the mossfield allotments complete with an en-suite bathroom.

Design & Planning

At the rear of the property, we strategically located the open-plan living area. We initiated this transformation with a ground floor rear extension, projecting 3.5 meters from the existing rear elevation. While Trafford SPD policy stipulates a maximum projection of 3 meters for a full-width rear extension, we advised our client to consider extending further, drawing inspiration from the precedents set by their neighbours. Alongside this rear extension, we introduced a side extension, positioned 850mm from the boundary, with the rear section of side extension becoming part of the open plan space. On the rear elevation we provided 2 full height windows positioned symmetrically about the central sliding doors. These glazing features provided access and views out into the garden and when coupled with the rooflight above, the open plan area will be flooded with ample natural light.

The central part of the ground floor side extension was dedicated to housing the utility/pantry area, offering convenient access from the kitchen. It also provided internal access to the newly designed garage at the front and external access to the path along the side elevation, facilitated by the 850mm separation gap. By extending the hall further to the rear, we not only increased the availability of understairs storage but also introduced a small WC, both accessible from the main hall. The ground floor footprint exceeded that of the first floor, allowing us to create a hipped roof that extended over the side elevation and wrapped around to the front elevation, encompassing the newly created porch and garage area.

Moving to the first floor, we executed a 2-meter side extension that seamlessly integrated into a 3.5-meter rear extension. Regulatory separation distance requirements set by Trafford Council and neighbouring properties on Flixton Road, Urmston, dictated the dimensions of the side extension. Nevertheless, this extension provided ample space for transforming the small box room at the front into a functional double bedroom and accommodating a generously sized family bathroom, thoughtfully positioned at the centre of the side extension. The first-floor rear extension became the new master suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom, and the extra 0.5 meters we achieved for our client made a significant difference compared to similar projects restricted to 3-meter rear projections.

As part of our Stage 2 planning services, PJH Architectural Services meticulously produced detailed planning drawings, managed the submission process, and engaged in constructive dialogue with Trafford Council. Our affiliation with Trafford Council, as part of their accredited designers list, ensured that the application received prioritised attention, ultimately resulting in its successful approval.

Building regulations/ tender

On receipt of planning consent, we produced our detailed building regulations and tender package of information which in conjunction with structural engineers’ drawings, were put in front of the client and enabled the project to be tendered out to a selection of Trafford based local contractors. We advised our client throughout the tendering stages, offered advice, example tendering letters and helped with recommending local contractors.

Thinking of pursuing something similar to our “Wraparound Extension Urmston” project? Feel free to take a look at some of our blogs:

Turn Up The Heat With A New Kitchen In Your Home
Don’t Risk The Price Of Incorrect Information
How Open Plan Living Improves Your Family Life

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