Designs have been drawn up to extend and remodel an existing farmhouse. The works include single storey front and rear extensions to provide spacious living, kitchen and utility areas as well as a dormer loft conversion to provide two additional bedrooms. A new double garage and workshop as well as a complimentary landscaping scheme will complete this proposed development.
Planning Permission has just been granted for a farm redevelopment designed by James Bell Architecture that will create a beautiful new Ice Cream Shop and Café in the heart of Cheshire. The proposals include the conversion of a two storey barn that will be completely gutted and renovated. The original first floor shall be removed to create a two storey height open galleried seating space that will show off the historic timber trusses and purlins and create a dramatic impact and as well as a light and open feel. There will be a separate contained room for parties and events. Outside, there will be seating areas and buildings with farm animals for visitors to see. The development comes at a time of increasing hardship in the dairy industry with reductions in milk prices having a huge effect on the farming community. This farming based client is thinking innovatively to re-use their redundant buildings to create what promises to be a lively and popular tourist spot within the Cheshire Countryside. James Bell Architecture have received a rising number of commissions to convert redundant barns in to new commercial and residential uses since the relaxed planning rules and is reaching a 100% approval rate.
Construction work on this project will proceed shortly with the intention of opening in the Summer. Can’t wait to taste my first ice cream.. 🙂
This fabulous new super home has been granted planning permission in Goostrey. Located in the Open Countryside, the proposals include the demolition of the existing farmhouse and the erection of a new two storey oak frame house that will be linked in to an existing single storey barn that will also be converted as part of the new family home. James Bell Architecture were appointed to obtain planning permission whilst the frame will be manufactured and erected by a separate oak frame specialists. The proposals will provide 6 bedrooms and a variety of family areas to rest, play and eat. Externally the two buildings will be joined together with a flush glass link to ensure that the two distinct eras of build are celebrated. A new 3 bay oak frame outbuilding to the rear will incorporate a bat roost.
Above – Photo of Existing site Before Development
Below- CGI visual of Approvals
A house extension in Hale designed for one of our clients has been recently completed. The extension provides a new loft space creating a large guest bedroom, at ground floor the old kitchen has been removed and an entirely newly extended and remodelled kitchen space has taken its place. Bi-fold doors look over the rear garden, which is yet to be completed later in the year. The side and rear of the property were completely removed allowing the space to be opened up in to one large multi functional space. The introduction of velux windows and fresh white walls maximise the quality of light within the space.
Before and After Photos
A small orangery / kitchen extension designed for one of our clients has been recently completed. Full planning permission was gained for an extension to provide a family living area off the kitchen. Bi-fold doors overlooking the garden and a large lantern with a vaulted ceiling provide dramatic effect and focus as well as lots of natural light to enjoy the space.
Our design for this house extension has been completed in Knutsford. The design offers a new spacious and light filled lounge, a remodelled dining room and kitchen at ground floor. At first floor a new bedroom and ensuite have been provided
The project involves a two storey side extension, garage conversion and extension above creating dormer bedroom as well as a single storey rear kitchen extension. The works are progressing well!
We attended this year’s “Build It Live” Exhibition in Manchester to discover what new and interesting ideas are being brought to the domestic sector. Renewables and Energy Performance featured highly in a number of stands with products on how to reduce heating bills by insulating the home and generating heat through sustainable and low cost sources.
For anyone looking to start their own building projects we find these sort of exhibitions really useful to wander around. If you haven’t got a plot and are looking, there was a stand specifically set up offering land and plots for sale. There were several bi-fold door exhibitors which we find really useful to have a look at given they feature in many of our projects. We like to get a feel for the product, how much it costs, how it works and how user friendly they actually are.
There are more detached homes being built now than at the height of the property boom in 2007 according to figures released by The National House Building Council (NHBC). With 38,113 new build properties of this type registered with it in 2014, it is the highest number recorded for any year since 2004.
The NHBC’s registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80% of homes constructed in the UK. The number of detached homes being registered represents a 24% increase from the previous year.
Detached homes now make up more than one quarter (26%) of all homes being built. The figures represent a promising development in this sector of the building industry with small scale architectural practices well positioned to receive a share of what is largely a market of self builders and projects involving “one off” designs.
NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton explained: “It looks like the detached home is making a comeback … Following an oversupply of flats outside London over the last decade, the growth in detached homes is restoring balance to the country’s housing stock.”
James Bell Architecture Ltd at Barn Studio 