THE MEADOW
South Downs Road, Bowdon
One of the area's finest and few remaining plots, having the enviable status of overlooking Bowdon Cricket Club. The scheme replaces a 1960's dormer bungalow, with a high quality contemporary piece of architecture to create a stunning new five bedroom family home.
THE MEADOW
BOWDON
The Meadow occupies a 1/3 acre plot on South Downs Road within the Bowdon Conservation Area. It is one of the few remaining plots in what is undoubtedly one of the area’s most sought after locations.
Construction is expected to be completed mid-2022 with enquiries now being taken for off-plan sales.
THE SITE
With its distinctive wisteria hedge, the site consists of a partly visible frontage onto South Downs Road, while the property is well screened from neighbouring dwellings by dense mature vegetation and a retaining wall to the rear of the property.
The site sits within Character Area C of the recently extended Bowdon Conservation Area.
Access to Bowdon, Hale and Altrincham town centres are only a short distance away. Altrincham and Hale having railway stations for connections nationwide, whilst Altrincham has connections to the Metrolink tram system for easy access to Manchester city centre and
other outlying towns. To the south, road access to the M56 which connects to major A roads is a short 5 minute drive.
The development is supported locally by excellent primary and secondary schools and amenity facilities including Bowdon Cricket, Hockey and Squash Club situated directly opposite the site.
THE DESIGN
Ground Floor:
On the ground floor, the cloakroom and entrance hall with tiled floors opens out through Crittal style doors onto an open plan kitchen, dining and living area across the rear, opening out to the garden area. A separate pantry and utility room are accessed from the kitchen and a more formal lounge and games and cinema room are positioned on either side of a central entrance hall area.
First Floor:
The first floor has a generous master suite with double bedroom, large private terrace looking out over the cricket club, dressing area and en-suite bathroom. There are four further double bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms, and two that share an en-suite family bathroom as well as a study and laundry store.
External:
The approach is via a secure, gated entrance giving access to the driveway with ample off road parking. Attractive mature landscaped gardens to the front and rear create a superb family home with a contemporary feel throughout.
CHARACTER & APPEARANCE
The character and appearance of the proposed dwelling has been carefully considered in relation to the varying architectural styles of the Conservation Area.
In order to preserve and enhance the conservation area, Architects MCAU have made subtle reference to some of these key architectural features. The contemporary interpretation of key elements including asymmetric gables, brick detailing, band courses, flat roof bays, chimneys, ensures that we avoid pastiche design whilst providing a high quality piece of architecture that enhances the conservation area.
MATERIALITY
A single high quality light grey/buff facing brick in Flemish bond is proposed, taking reference from the traditional Bowdon brick whilst reflecting the light coloured render of the existing dwelling.
Subtle changes in mortar colour and joint type will help provide variation, whilst hit & miss / projecting details provide light and shadow to help articulate the elevations.
Slate roofs compliment the conservation area, with simple clipped verges, eaves details and hidden gutters. The existing stone boundary walls and mature landscaping will be retained to preserve the character of the site and area.
ELEVATIONS
The main brick elevations in Flemish bond have a flush mortar joint in a light grey colour providing a smoother finish as reflected in the Bowdon brick properties nearby. Darker mortar and recessed joints help articulate the expressed elements of brickwork.
The asymmetric gable to the front elevation is an interpretation of the gables found in the area including Grange Road, whilst the flat roof expressed bay provides balance to the main elevation and takes reference from a feature of 72 South Downs Road.
Brick detailing and band courses found in the conservation area are referenced by projecting headers, soldier courses and hit & miss screens. These provide articulation through use of depth, shadow and texture to the elevations.
LANDSCAPE
To preserve the character of the CA, Landscape Architects, DEP have proposed the retention of as much of the existing mature landscaping to the site boundaries as possible.
All healthy trees and hedges are to be retained, and existing stone walls fronting the highway and to the rear garden are to be retained and repaired as necessary.
Existing levels of lawned areas to the side (west) and front garden are retained using low level brick walls. These delineate a new sandstone path, perennial plant beds and permeable gravel strip to the rear of the dwelling.
New gate posts, gate and a permeable resin bound gravel surface to the driveway are proposed.