Land to the south of 19 Firfield Avenue, Breaston, Derbyshire, was purchased by Longcliffe Properties Ltd. for what was essentially a back garden development. Initially, planning permission was granted for the construction of four traditional properties along with an access drive.
In 2018, Longcliffe Properties Ltd. awarded the construction contract to Allsopp Construction Ltd. We have a long-standing working relationship with Longcliffe Properties, often collaborating on one-off individual dwellings. However, this project was significant for both partners.
The first phase of the project involved creating an access drive alongside the existing bungalow. Once this was completed, construction of the four dwellings commenced.
Whilst the build was underway, Longcliffe Properties also acquired land to the rear of 17 Firfield Avenue.
BHA Architecture secured planning permission for two additional properties on this newly acquired land.
Ultimately, we built six five bedroomed dwellings in total, all traditional in design with similar layouts.
Site and Construction
There were challenges with the land; while it was not located on a floodplain, its proximity to the river affected ground conditions. Ground analysis revealed sandy and gravelly soil, which was not suitable for traditional foundations. As a result, 30-meter piled foundations were constructed to ensure stability for the new dwellings.
Drainage techniques were carefully designed to minimize and control surface water runoff from the buildings and hard-standing areas.
Once the access drive and foundations were completed, construction of the dwellings progressed smoothly. Each property was constructed using block and beam to both ground and first floors, to provide exceptional structural stability, acoustic enhancement and minimizing the risk of issues caused by uneven settling or soil movement. The site was completed in 2020, and the properties sold well.
Design and Features
The houses all share a similar design and layout, with exterior finishes that include a mixture of monocouche render, vertical tile cladding, and traditional brickwork.
Internally, each property features open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas, along with a ground floor utility room and cloakroom. The upper floors, including the roof space attic floors, consisting of five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
All homes are equipped with Stephen Christopher kitchens and utility rooms, and Villeroy & Boch and Hans Grohe sanitary ware has been used throughout.
The properties were all heated via gas fired Worcester ‘System’ boilers, with full underfloor heating throughout.
