Work is progressing well on the renovation of and extension to a Grade II listed dwelling – which is a former shop – in the historic heart of Haddenham.
The main part of the building is constructed from witchert, which is a common historic building material in the Haddenham area. With a plinth of rubble stones known locally as ‘grumplings’, the earth wall was constructed above with a lime render finish. The programme of works has also involved repairs to the roof structure, floor strengthening and re-plastering with lime plaster.
A new rear extension will allow space for an extra first floor bedroom with en suite and a larger kitchen, with bi-folding doors opening out onto the rear courtyard.
Completion of this interesting project is due at the end of the year.
We were delighted recently when Greenleas School in Leighton Buzzard was granted retrospective planning permission for a play canopy on their Kestrel Way site. The large 123m2 canopy comprised of 35mm thick opal polycarbonate roof panels was installed a couple of years ago.
An oversight meant that permission had not been sought prior to construction. Our retrospective application to Central Bedfordshire Council argued that the structure is acceptable in planning policy terms: it aids children with their outdoors learning and supports delivery of the National Curriculum, it has an empathetic design that blends well with the existing school building, and also presents no harm to the neighbouring residential amenity.
Greenleas School happily now has a compliant play canopy for the children to enjoy, and the school also uses it for breakfast and after school clubs.
We’ve recently completed a phased
refurbishment project for Thame & District Housing Association, a
Registered Social Landlord providing rented accommodation in the Thame area.
The works at Croft Court, which is a residential block with eight single bedroom flats for the over 60s included replacing the kitchens and bathrooms in each, removing a sliding door into the kitchen and enlarging the opening to create a more usable and modern space. The works also incorporated the replacement of the roof. We provided drawings and specification and following a procurement process, principal contractor JET Construction (Milton Keynes) Ltd was appointed to carry out the building works. By paying close attention to the project programme, we ensured that the flats were refurbished in a phased way, so there was the minimum of disturbance to existing residents.
Thame & District Housing Association
Facilities Manager Mick Hancocks said: “We have appointed PCMS Design to carry
out the project management and architectural design for a number of our
properties. We have found that they are sensitive to the protection and privacy
needs of our residents, which is very important to us. I would not hesitate to
use PCMS Design again.”
Our sports
and community pavilion project located on the Haddenham Airfield Development is
progressing well. A crane arrived on site today to lift in the steels to support
the roof structure. In spite of the rainy May weather, six steel beams in total
were successfully craned in, plus two posts.
When the roof is installed, it will be clad in a combination of zinc plus some sections of environmentally friendly green sedum.
Following completion later this year by main contractor Marlow Builders, the new pavilion will provide changing facilities for the adjacent football pitches, and rooms available for community use such as meetings and parties. The facility will be maintained by Haddenham Parish Council, and has been funded partly by Section 106 money contributed by the developer, CALA Homes.
Crane lifts steel beam into position at Haddenham Airfield Pavilion
This is a
great local project to be involved with, and we are thrilled to see our design
taking shape!
PCMS Design is pleased
to announce that we have recently relocated! We’ve moved our office premises by
only a few miles from Haddenham to Long Crendon, a nearby Buckinghamshire
village. Our new office is in a lovely, totally self-contained building located
within a farm complex, situated on the rural edge of the village. We now have
tractors rumbling down the driveway, the sound of cattle in the distance and
hares hopping past the window! We’ve all been impressed by the views, which
extend across open farmland and countryside towards the Chiltern Hills.
New office in Long Crendon
Our working environment is certainly more harmonious and peaceful, and we’re trusting that the office move will provide inspiration for ever more creative architectural designs! If you have a home, educational, community or commercial project that would benefit from architectural advice or project management, then do get in touch for a no obligation chat. We are happy to work throughout rural (and urban) Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire and beyond …
Our new address: The Barn, College Farm, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire HP18 9AP
Other contact details are the same – Tel: 01844 202932 Email: info@pcmsdesign.co.uk www.pcmsdesign.co.uk
Our latest project for
Thame & District Housing Association – a two storey side extension and
refurbishment of two flats – is due to start on site in
mid-April. Planning permission was
sought and granted by Buckinghamshire Council for improvements to the one
bedroom flats at Anstey Court in Waddesdon.
Flats to be improved at Anstey Court in Waddesdon
The existing stairs to
the first floor accommodation pose accessibility issues, as they’re too steep
to meet the latest building regulations: our solution was to design an extension
to the side of the building to house a new wider staircase and entrance door,
so that it’s more suitable for elderly residents.
Because of the siting of
the building there was only one option for the extension, and it meant that the internal layout of the First
Floor flat would be changed to accommodate the new entrance. The Ground Floor
flat will receive full redecoration.
Our administration of
the procurement process lead to Skyline Development & Construction being
appointed to carry out the building works, and we are looking forward to
working with them on this social housing improvement project.
We were very pleased last week to be invited to attend the
forthcoming Haddenham Annual Parish Meeting, and particularly delighted this
year because it will take place within the newly refurbished Parish Centre. Our
recent project to improve the Parish Council offices at the Village Hall has
transformed the space.
Haddenham has seen considerable
development in recent years, with new homes, employment sites and leisure
facilities all being constructed in the village. Consequently, Parish
Council activities were becoming ever-busier and the need for administration
resourcing had increased. Staff had outgrown their under-sized office, and the
entrance lacked a reception area making it unsuitable for accepting visitors; there
had become an urgent need to improve it.
A former Day Centre within the
village hall had been closed for some time; an outdated lounge area also had
two large supporting pillars restricting the layout. We designed a
reconfiguration and renovation of existing internal spaces to deliver rooms
that will enable the Parish Council to continue operating effectively as the
village expands. A re-utilisation of space is a cost-effective and
environmentally sound way of achieving an objective like this; building
materials are kept to a minimum, but structural alterations enable the building
to be upgraded to a modern specification, and at the same time the opportunity
is there to deliver more efficient heating, insulation, lighting and storage.
At the same time, the dilapidated flat roof was repaired and the external
facades of the whole building were decorated.
Staff and Parish Councillors have
embraced the new Parish Centre, which includes
a dedicated smart entrance doorway and reception hatch, and a conference room
large enough to seat the whole Parish Council in comfort. Haddenham Parish
Clerk Sue Gilbert commented: “Our smart Parish Centre is great to work in, and
finally we have an office and meeting room which is fit for purpose. We are
delighted with the transformation. We have worked together with PCMS Design on
a number of feasibility and construction projects, and have always been
delighted with the great service and support that we’ve received.”
Bringing the outdoors closer for a relaxed home working enviroment
A recent survey carried
out by Barratt Developments found that almost half of households believe their
current property to be unsuitable for home working. Many people struggle to do
their job effectively from the kitchen table or lounge, and only 28% of
respondents had the benefit of a dedicated work space such as a study or home
office.
Flexible work patterns –
or ‘hybrid’ working as it’s increasingly becoming known – are now the norm for
millions of people across all age groups, with at least a proportion of the
working week being spent at home. It’s increasingly common for householders to
need extra – and preferably more flexible – space. Not just to work in, but to
exercise in too, as the rise of home gyms and the success of brands such as Peloton
proves.
Flexible Home Office Space
Whether you have a new
or old home, we can assist. Rather than thinking of moving, the solution may be
simpler and cheaper in the short term. It’s true that with the benefit of a
large garden, a ‘Shoffice’ (Outdoor Shed/Office) may be the solution for you.
But by reconfiguring the spaces within your home – and sometimes combining this
with a modest extension or garage conversion – a solution to the working from
home dilemma may well be closer than you think.
More than two thirds of workers said they would prefer a dedicated office space in their home – simply contact us now for a no obligation chat about the potential to improve your property.
It’s always
an interesting experience to take on a conservation project. This beautiful
timber roof structure has been revealed during the renovation of a Grade II
Listed house – previously a butcher’s shop – in the heart of a Buckinghamshire
village. Works are now underway to carefully restore the timbers, and ensure
the roof’s longevity.
This
particular house is also being extended to the rear to provide a new first
floor bedroom with en suite, and a larger kitchen beneath. We have successfully
applied for Listed Building consent for a number of repairs to the structure,
in addition to the extension.
Working on
listed buildings with a long history behind them requires sensitive treatment
and a detailed understanding of the processes involved. The extension and
renovation of the White Lion pub in St Leonards combined a similar need for
restoring the older part of the structure, whilst ensuring that the building
could function as a profitable hospitality business.
Do get in touch if you would like
advice on improving or extending a Listed Building.
Many organisations
are seeking ways of both adapting to climate change and minimising their environmental
impact. Chinnor Rugby Football Club in Thame has found a clever and cost
effective method of irrigating their playing pitches – by digging a borehole.
This
modern version of a well involves drilling a hole around 10m deep which is then cased in steel, and a borehole pumping
system is attached to collect natural water and pump it to the surface. Water
is extracted up to the daily allowed amount and stored in a metal storage tank
until required. An added advantage of this irrigation method is that water
naturally percolates through the soil for future use, forming part of a natural
water lifecycle.
Following
a procurement process to find a suitably qualified installer, we worked in
conjunction with AW Synergy Boreholes to dig the borehole, and also contractor
Agripower to construct the storage tank. The whole project required careful
planning and project management which we were happy to provide.
South
Oxfordshire District Council funded the project via Section 106 developer
contributions.
Chinnor
Rugby Football Club will shortly have access to a ready supply of natural water
to irrigate its pitches, which not only saves money but significantly reduces
the environmental impact of using potable mains water.
