Listed Building Refurbishment and Extension

A Listed Building Refurbishment and Extension of a Grade II listed building is proposed to be brought back to its former glory in Cheshire!

We were appointed to carry out concept design and submission of a listed building planning application to bring a 17th residential dwelling back to a habitable standard after standing derelict since the 19th century.

One very key challenge was to create a design for the listed building which linked with a new development that we have previously created for demolishing existing converted barns and replaced with 5 high-end super homes with footballers' lifestyles in mind reaching end values of £4.5m+ a plot once fully developed.

The listed building has been extended adding a side wing with modern addition using the local vernacular for its form, style and use of materials adding four large additional bedrooms and a barn-like structure as inspiration.

To the rear, we have created a slender glazed feature atrium minimally connecting to the 17th-century existing structure and newly proposed rear extension with minimal site line and floor-to-ceiling glazing.

A new basement has been formed underpinning the existing house, creating an underground garage, sauna, and gym area. This listed building extension would secure the most important elements of the proposal and ensure that it is both preserved and enhanced for future generations.

The site extends to 4.2 hectares and comprises a collection of buildings which include a dilapidated 17th-century Grade II Listed Building with later additions.

The historic evolution of the dwelling and site which was originally known as Main Farm, much of the hall is in a state of dilapidation with significant cracking in the 19th-century extension resulting in the partial collapse of the side wall and the exposure of the chimneys within the stack. This dilapidation has continued into the walls of the original house. It is therefore considered imperative to preserve the most important elements of the Listed Building; namely, the 17th-century central section is retained.

The Listed Building Refurbishment and Extension, would secure the most important elements of the historical value and ensure that it is both preserved and enhanced for future generations.

There is also an -L-shaped two-storey brick building which was formerly in agricultural use but has subsequently been converted, with the benefit of planning permission, to a single residential unit. In addition, the collection of buildings includes a number of stables which run perpendicular to and then parallel to the previously described two-storey brick building which forms a courtyard.

The Listed Building Refurbishment and Extension involve the demolition of the 19th and 20th Century extensions on either side of the central 17th-century block. Neither of these extensions is sympathetic to the original character of the 17th-century yeoman's cottage that served Hal Farm.

The 19th-century extension is in an advanced state of dilapidation with the roof falling in and severe cracking in the side gable, which has resulted in the collapse of part of this wall and the chimney stack exposing the internal flues of the chimney. Therefore, it is considered that the retention of these elements is not imperative in protecting the archaeological or historical integrity of the original 17th-century buildings.

In order to ensure the retention of the 17th-century building and to bring it back into use, the proposal is for bringing back the 17th century to house a new main entrance with new grand stairs leading up to the 1st and 2nd second-floor bedrooms and a large gallery area.

The internals of the 17th-century building, which is not considered to be of any particular merit, for the most part, are to be removed, although a fireplace on the ground and first floors will be retained along with some modern panelling in this part of the hall. These elements were identified in the Statement of Significance as being worthy of retention, because of their importance in the archaeology of the house.

The Listed Building Refurbishment and Extension would secure the most important elements of the proposal and ensure that it is both preserved and enhanced for future generations.