Smithills,

Bolton

This scheme consists of 9 houses in the historic 17 Century Smithills Coaching house together with newbuild dwellings around the periphery. A project for Jones Homes.

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The building was once the coach houses for four carriages, together with a house for the estate manager, offices, tack-rooms, a space for the gamekeeper and his dogs, plus a tenants’ hall for estate events. The horses were kept on the farm.

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Over recent years the buildings had had inappropriate extensions and alterations and, since it’s closure as a café and event space, had become vandalised and leadwork stolen, leading to further damage. Listed building consent was sought for the conversion of the spaces for residential use, restoring as many of the damaged features as possible and retaining as much of the original volume as we were able. Working alongside a very experienced site manager, and some well-skilled tradesmen, we were able to remove the unsightly additions and alterations and to expose features hidden for decades.With the help of some carefully designed contemporary extensions, these historic buildings now have a more certain future as well as creating some exciting new homes.

 

Photographs courtesy of Jones Homes.

 

Winner: LABC NORTH WEST BUILDING EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 - Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion

 

Heritage services provided by Atelier Heritage.